The Poodle Papers

Official Quarterly Newsletter of The Poodle Club of America

Fall 2009

Congratulations to the First Poodle ever to Qualify

AT the AKC Master National!

Bibelot’s Tolka Hands Up MH (Ten),

co-owned by Jack Combs and
Mia DiBenedetto and handled by Jack.

Photo by Robert Emerson

(Bibelot’s Cherod Tinsmith ex Kalchan’s Maggie Of Sforsilken)
Breeders : Susan Radley Fraser and Debra J Drake.
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 Page 2
Coming Specialties May 7, 2010. Panorama Poodle Club of Mt Spokane
Norman Patton
Obed Larry Tanner
P.C.A. AFFILIATE CLUB SHOWS May 14, 2010 Enchanted Poodle Club
AM Show Dr Robert Smith
* Note this listing comes from Helen Lee James PM Show Mrs. Polly Smith
December 4, 2009 Poodle Club of Massachuetts May 21, 2010 Poodle Club of Central Indiana
Designated Classes Ladies Dog Club Judges TBA
December 4, 2009 Hub Poodle Club May 21, 2010 Mid Michigan Poodle Club
Breed- Helen Lee (supported Entry) AM Show Scott Wolfe
December 5, 2009 Hub Poodle Club of Orange County May 21, 2010 Mid Michigan Poodle Club
Judges- Scott Wolfe PM Show Nancy Hafner
December 6, 2009 Hub Poodle Club of Orange County May 27, 2010 Greater Cincinnati Poodle Club
Judges- Kent Delaney(supported Entry) AM Show Mrs. M. Aizcorbe
December 7, 2009 Hub Poodle Club of Orange County Obed Mrs DL Allen
Judges- Bill Cunningham(supported Entry) PM Show Luis Aizcorbe (no obedience)
December 11 & 12 09 Poodle Club of Lehigh Valley July 8, 2010 Poodle Club of Southern California
Carol Reisman A.M. show, Clay Williams
Obed 12/12/09 John D Landis July 8, 2010 Poodle Club of Southern California
Dec 9th Poodle Club of America-Lee Canalizo(SE) P.M. show, Karen Graham, New Zealand
Dec 10th Poodle Club of America -Sue Ellen Rempel (SE)
Dec 11th Poodle Club of America- Lydia Coleman
Hutchinson(SE)
Dec 12th Poodle Club of America - John Shoemaker(Toys)
Frank Sabella(M/S) Does your Affiliate Club
2010
January 8, 2010 San Bernardino Riverside Poodle Club
William Shelton
take pride in mentoring
January 21, 2010 Columbia Poodle Club
Joe Walton
new people to the Breed?
Chris Primmes Obedience/Rally,
Sweeps Christie Smith
February 12, 2010 Poodle Club of Central Indiana


Rick Weyrich
Designated classes at Hoosier Kennel Club
Let us mentor someone
February 21, 2010 Poodle Club of Hawaii
Andrew Mills new to the Breed today!
Obed. Betty Brask
March 10, 2010. Poodle Club of San Antonio
Eugene Blake
Obedience Michael Chestee
Rally Elizabeth McCarthy
March 17, 2010, Heart of America Poodle Club,
Thomas Carneal
April 2, 2010. Key to the Sea Poodle Club -
conformation only Dennis Kniola
PCA Yahoo Group for Affiliate Clubs:
April 3, 2010 Key to the Sea Poodle Club Presidents of Affiliate Clubs and Affiliate
Sharon Redmer, Breed, Obedience & Rally Club Secretaries are asked to sign up for the pcaaffiliate-
April 10, 2010. Poodle Obedience Training Club of Greater New club list o n line on the Yahoo Groups.
York Please take the time to sign on to get fast and
Obed. Betsy Baird and Kathleen Walker accurate information about PCA and PCA events for your
Rally, Dawn L Martin clubs.
Go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/search?query=pcaaffiliateclub
* Note: If your show is not listed, please contact Helen Lee FMI - Contact Helen Lee James
James at horselesscarriage8@earthlink.net I list only the horselesscarriage8@earthlink.net
shows that she sends me the information on. If the listing is
not complete, please contact Helen Lee.
Leslie
The Poodle Papers
 Page 3

The Poodle Papers

Official Quarterly Newsletter of The Poodle Club of America
Fall 2009
2008-2010
Officers & Committees
President:Jack MacGillivray
President’s Message:
1st Vice Pres.: Glenna Carlson
2nd Vice Pres.Helen Lee James Hello Friends:
Corres. Sec.: Peggy McDill
poodleclubsecy@aol.com
Record. Sec.: Joan Scott As this year comes to a close, what a relief to have finished the bylaw amendments and
Treasurer: Scott Olund have them out for a vote. It was quite a job taking the ideas of many, consolidating the
Variety Representatives
Toy:Nancy Hafner most appropriate into proper form, and most tedious of all, getting AKC’s approval before
Mini: Luis Aizcorbe submission to the members. Hurrah….done! By the time you read this, the results of the
Standard.: Michael Wahlig
vote will probably be known.
Publicity: Joan McFadden
AKC Delegate: Mary Ellen Fishler
Show Committee That said, the Club finds itself as busy as ever, ramping up the work level in preparation
Chairperson: Glenna Carlson of many upcoming events and projects.
Assistant Chairperson: Arthur Foran
Performance Events
Obedience Chairperson-Ann Mandlebaum The 2009 PCA Regional is well into the final stages of readiness thanks to Mary Olund
Performance Events Agility Chairperson- and her many volunteers. What a pleasure to delegate an assignment to a volunteer who
Debbie West
WC/WCX Working Certificate Chairper-
can be counted on to take responsibility and get the job done. We hope you all take a break
son- Joyce Carelli and come to warm Long beach in December!
Public Education Coordinator
Nancy Hafner Lisa Wolfe continues to make improvements to our Website, and is planning some signifi-
Judges Education cant design changes in the coming months. We anticipate expanding the use of the Online
Nancy Hafner Store to include PIA books, Rescue Donations, Foundation donations and just about all
Affiliate Club Council:
Hlen Lee James other items PCA sells.
PCA Foundation:
Exec. Director Tom Carneal
The 2010 National is well under way under the experienced hands of Glenna Carson, her
PCA Foundation: assistant Art Foran, and many other volunteers. Now is the time when planning is at its
Coordinator_ Mike Wahlig
PCA Poodle Rescue Central: peak, and everything is under control and in capable, dedicated hands.
Sally Poindexter
poodelclubofamerica@yahoo.com
PIA volume XI has been a stumbling block, due in no fault to its experienced editor, Bet-
Poodles in America: sey Leedy. We had an unfortunate experience with one of the volunteers which resulted in
Editor:Betsey Leedy
the loss of several of the Standard ads. We have several new recruits to assist in gathering
Breeder Referral: missing information and to help bring the volume to completion. The Club appreciates
Poodleclubofamerica.org
Connie Green-314-997-2711
your patience and understanding in this unfortunate situation. On the brighter side, acco-
lades go to Deb Parisi, who has completely computerized the pedigree section of the book.
PCA Home Page
Lisa Wolfe
Her program should result in the elimination of misspellings and incorrect names in the
pcaupdateinfo@yahoo.com pedigrees. Volume XI will be out in hard copy no later than the April 2010 show.
www.poodleclubofamerica.org

PCA Information No time is more appropriate than now to again thank the MANY volunteers who keep our
Hal Kinne
infopoodleclubofamerica@yahoo.com
Club moving and alive. All that we have accomplished, and all we are now, is due to the
imagination and hard work of dedicated volunteers who donate their limited personal time
The Poodle Papers
Layout & Graphic design
for the betterment of PCA.
Editor: Leslie Newing
Email: lnewing@earthlink.net Sincerely,
PCA Email list Jack MacGillivray
pca_on_line@yahoo.com

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 Page 4

Roster Update Form

First Name ______________MI ___Last Name___________________

Home Address:
__________________________City_______________State___ZIP___Work Address:
__________________________City_______________State___ZIP___
Phone:
H: (__) ___-_______ W: (__) ____-________C: (__)___-_________
Fax: (___) _______Email:___________________________________
Kennel Name: _________________________________________________________
Affiliate Club ______________________ Variety(s) S T M
Other ____________________________________________________

“I prefer to conduct Poodle Club of America, Inc., business by electronic Mail.”

Signed: ________________________________________________________

Return to: Peggy A. McDill

24922 Las Marias Lane
Mission Viejo, California 92691-5119

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 Page 5

The Poodle Papers

Official Quarterly Newsletter of The Poodle Club of America
Fall 2009

What’s Where
National Specialty 6

Affiliate Club News 8

Camp Gone to the Dogs , Joyce Miller 17

Legg Calve Perthes Disease at Clemson University. 19

Working Poodle 22

Choosing an Agility Prospect , Joann Neal 25

Vaccine for Canine Influenza Virus Expected to Help Prevent Outbreaks, Purina Pro care 27

P.C.A. Rescue 31

Meet the Breeds ,Cindy Crawley 32

P.C.A. Foundation News 34

In Memoriam 42

A.K.C. Delegates Corner 46

New Hope for SA Poodles, Joyce Miller 50

The AKC Master National, Mia DiBenedetto 54

PCA is not responsible for any statements or claims Poodle Papers!

made by its contributors. PCA reserves the rights
to edit all copy and make editorial comments where
necessary and deemed appropriate by the editor.
PCA reserves the right to refuse items submitted for
publication. Written permission must be received and
granted by PCA in order to reprint any editorial ma-
terial. Contributors reserve all rights to their articles
and permissions must be granted by them for reprint
purposes. © 2007 Poodle Club of America
Deadline for the next newsletter is Feb 15 th. Please
get your articles to me by that date. Anyone who
has an interesting topic that they would like to see
in the newsletter, please feel free to email me at
lnewing@earthlink.net
Leslie
Editor of The Poodle Papers

The Poodle Papers

 Page 6

National Specialty

Obedience/Rally at PCA
in April Theme for 2010

IT’S MAGIC
We are making some pretty big changes to our Obedience
Trial offerings for 2010! Those of you who follow such mat-
ters have seen a huge drop-off of entries in Obedience Tri-
als at all-breed, specialty and stand alone events across the
country. AKC has begun to respond by broadening its list of
non-regular classes, some of them now leading to titles, to
appeal to a wider exhibitor audience.

PCA plans to take advantage of these changes by offering all

of the Obedience classes available in the AKC Rule Book
Agility News for 2010
and encouraging you, the exhibitor, to enter more classes by
I hope you all have wonderful Holidays full of family, friends
drastically reducing the entry fees for non-regular classes.
and of course poodles. They certainly have a way of adding
While entry fees for all titling classes remain the same ($35
something extra special to any occasion.
first entry/$26 additional entries of the same dog), entries in
all other offered classes are just $15. In Brace and Team the
For those of us who are unlucky enough to live where it
$15 rate is for the entry in its entirety – not for each individ-
will snow soon if not already, we should be thinking of little
ual dog. This fee also applies to Rally Novice Brace where
games to play in our homes to add focus and fun to our train-
the fee will also be $15 for the Brace, not each dog.
ing. Our poodles really get a kick out of new tricks and
games and even something as simple as a hand touch can be
It is my hope that those of you who have not considered
turned into a focus game, and then lots of playing.
making an Obedience or Rally entry will look at the offer-
ings, think about your Poodle’s capabilities, enter a class or
Our judge for this upcoming new year is Carol Mount from
more on Tuesday and start working toward the goal of hav-
New Jersey. We are also hoping to offer FAST this year as
ing some fun together at our National Specialty Obedience
and extra class with a special price to help you all come out
or Rally Trial.
and play.
For those who already plan to enter, think about adding
Again Happy Holidays, Happy New Year and a safe winter
one or two of the non-regular classes to your more “seri-
season.
ous” goals of competing in Novice, Graduate Novice, Open
Graduate Open, Utility and Versatility or, if you are currently
working toward Rally titles, how about taking a fling in the Debbie West
Obedience rings? – you may find that your training in Rally
has, indeed, prepared you and your Poodle for Obedience.

Our judging panel for 2010 is: Susie Osburn and Bernie ALBERT EINSTEIN:
Brown judging Obedience and Marilou McKloskey judging
Rally
Only a life lived for others is a life
See you in April, worthwhile.
Ann Mandelbaum, Obedience/Rally Chairwoman

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 Page 7

Notes from Glenna: Please remember: You have received a copy of the by-laws.
Carefully read the document and have your vote in by the
required date - December 1, 2009.
It is almost time for the wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.
We have many things to be thankful for - our friends, our
Poodles, our country. Lets all remember how fortunate we I look forward to seeing many of you in Long Beach - and
are and say a special blessing for those who cannot cel- Salisbury in April. Hugs to all.
ebrate with us.
Glenna Carlson
NEWS FOR PCA NATIONAL: 1st Vice-President
National Show Chairman
PCA - IT’S MAGIC has been selected as the theme for
2010. We are as excited about this theme as any we have
had - think of the decorating ideas - think of the magicians
- think of a white Toy Poodle being pulled out of a black top
hat! I can hardly wait! •New E mail address for Alice Wolaniuk
Our judges panel is complete! Jack MacGillivray has
akuinalow@gmail.com
agreed to judge Junior Showmanship. Having PCA’s pres-
ident preside over this event is very special to me and I
hope is a memory that will be cherished by the participants.
Thank you, Jack, for joining the judging panel! 2010 AKC Canine Health Founda-
And a name from the past of many of us - David Lewis, Se- tion Charity Golf Tournament
attle, WA,- has agreed to judge Veterans Sweepstakes. Da-
vid successfully handled his own Ch. Oakgrove Heavenly Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Days and other Oakgrove Standards in the 1970’s as well as Southern Hills Plantation Club
dogs for Frank Fretwell and Susan North. He is currently 4200 Summit View Drive
having fun and success with Corgis and Shepherds. It will Brooksville, Florida
be such fun to see David again and do a bit of reminiscing.
Beverage Cart Sponsor:
A wonderful addition for 2010 will be the non-regular Wayne and Jean Boyd, Hoover Grove Great Pyrenees
classes offered in Obedience and Rally - these at a reduced
entry fee which, hopefully, will be very attractive to exhibi- Hole Sponsors:
tors. Ann Mandelbaum, our Obedience Chairman, has her Greater Gainesville Dog Fancier’s Association, Inc.
own article telling all about the new classes in Obedience Jupiter-Tequesta Dog Club, Inc.
and Rally. Scottish Terrier Club of Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay Chihuahua Club
Not to be outdone, Agility will offer classes in FAST - these
are events that are especially fun to watch. Round of Golf and Party: $150 Contribution
Don’t miss this opportunity to play the only Pete Dye
We continue to be enthused about our new host hotel, the Championship course in the Tampa Bay area.
Hampton Inn and Suites. It is so nicely appointed and the
staff is most cooperative. Many other hotels in Salisbury Party Only: $30 Contribution
are generously giving PCA monitors rooms, and here is one Party includes a buffet dinner.
of the issues you can help us solve. I cannot have hard
working PCA members in these monitors rooms if I do 2010 Florida Classic Cluster Judges Receive Complimen-
not know where they are staying. So, please, if you are a tary Party Admission!!! (Judges must RSVP by December
PCA member with a position during National, please let me 15, 2009)
know where you will be staying so I can have monitors in
all of the hotels. Thanks so much. 1:00 Shotgun Tournament Start
5:30 pm After Party Begins

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 Page 8

Affiliate Club News

Notes from Helen Lee James: Our members are required to provide volunteer services
to the club to qualify for inclusion of the Breeder Refer-
It has been a full and very busy year. Many of our special-
ral list, annual award plaques and discounts at our annual
ty clubs have been hard-pressed to hold quality events and
Health Clinic. (info on the Health Clinic to follow in an-
carry on the desirable and badly needed programs for their
other email)
members.
Profit runs about $300-$400. Entries were down a tiny bit
One bit of advice to all of the show chairmen: Monitor your
this year, but the temperature and humidity were sky high on
contract and relationship with the manager of your show
our match date.
site. There have been several instances of clubs believing
that they had their show site and date cast in stone only to
Karen Korab
find out that there have been changes in management with
Recording Secretary
corresponding changes in dates and services.
Great Lakes Poodle Club of Chicago
Previously I requested ideas from affiliate clubs for money-
A similar service could be used for a grooming clinic depend-
making projects to help fund the club’s activities. One of the
ing upon space and the number of instructors available.
best I received came from Great Lakes Poodle Club sent to
To be successful, all dog clubs should have a budget and be
me. It is printed below.
run like a business if the needs of our sport and our breeds
are to be met.
We hold an all breed obedience correction match once a year.
Please, share your ideas with us and tell us how you have
If we can get the training center to rent we may try to do it
solved the problems.
more often.Saturday mornings work best.
If you need an overview of the approved future Poodle Spe-
It takes 10 people to run.
cialties, go to the PCA website and click on “Affiliate Clubs”
You can then navigate to a calendar which will list all of the
Match Chair/Secretary (handles pre-entries, the entry table
approved specialty shows and, where the information has
and money) a Club Member, 3 Judges (Novice, Open & Util-
been provided, the names of the judges.
ity) (members & friends),9 Stewards (members & friends)
(judges and workers run their dogs for free),1 training center
I do my best to keep the current information supplied to Lisa
with equipment to rent (highest cost item),3 rings (Novice,
Wolfe who has done such a wonderful job updating the cal-
Open & Utility) ,Sandwich platter from Subway to feed the
endar for us.
workers (about $50) Some address size adhesive labels for
Helen Lee James
ring numbers Entry forms and pens,
Small white boards or paper to use as an entry tracking me- From Great Lakes Poodle Club
dium for the table stewards 2009-2010
Flyer with entry blank is updated and emailed to a core group Officers
of exhibitors and distributed at training center President - Betty Zaraza
VP - Sharon Freund
Judging Begins at 11:30 a.m. (takes about 3.5-4 hours) Corresponding Secretary - Carol Cargle
No Walk-Ins after 1:00 p.m. Recording Secretary - Karen Korab
Fees: Pre-Entry $7 ($6 for second entry of same dog); Gate Treasurer - Charisse Bruno
Entry $8 ($7 for second entry of same dog) Board of Directors
Classes offered: Novice; Open; Utility Carlos Santos
Enter Early! -- All classes are limited to 30 entries Kathy Stefanski
Jean Eremo
Pre-entries are acknowledged and emailed an approximate Larry Page
ring time so people come in, run their dogs and leave. Submitted by:Karen Korab
This helps keep the parking lot and crate area clear Great Lakes Poodle Club
This is amazingly simple and we would be willing to share Recording Secretary
details and “instructions”. We are always surprised at how 847-671-6499
easy it is and how few of us it takes to earn extra money.
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 Page 9

From : Poodle Club of Tulsa

Hi Leslie,
Thought you’d like to see The Poodle Club of Tulsa’s booth at “Woofstock” in Tulsa, OK. “Woofstock” is a celebration
and showcase for all the rescue clubs in Tulsa where current rescues can be seen and adoption processes started. We’ve
done rescue now for about 20 years, and average about 50+ poodles a year.

We’re also taking our “Send In The Clowns” booth idea to AKC’s Canine Experience Day on September 20 in Enid, OK--
with a different slant--breed specific education.

You may use any of these pictures you’d care to--several of them show the other participants’ booths, and the size of the
gathering.
Best,
Mary Yeakey, President, Poodle Club of Tulsa

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 Page 10
Poodle Club of Massachusetts provided by our hosts the Kilmartins. Poodle people sure
know how to eat, there was chicken salad for the non-fish
Working Certificate/Working Cer- eaters, and one of the PCM members made the most amaz-
tificate Excellent event, ing Poodle-Decorated cup cakes I have ever seen! Lunch
By Mia DiBenedetto over, it was on to the Water Series for more.

The Poodle Club of Massachusetts held its WC/WCX event
on Saturday September 12, at the home of David and Betsey
Kilmartin, in Glocester, R.I.
Rain was the order of the day but the poodles didn’t seem
to mind the showery weather, and the rain certainly didn’t
dampen the spirits of the handlers. The weather probably
kept some of the spectators from coming by but we are in
New England and have proved over again, we are a hearty
lot! Competitors came from as far as Ohio and upstate New
York to run their dogs in an excellent set of tests.
Land Series
Water Series
The Working Certificate water series was very straight for-
ward. The first mark was thrown from the shore right to left
into the corner of the pond. The second mark was thrown left
to right into open water.
The Working Certificate Excellent marks were similar with
greater swimming distance into the water with angle back
throws.
Nineteen poodles were entered into the WC/WCX event. Six
out of 10 poodles passed the WC test and in the WCX, two of
nine poodles earned Working Certificate Excellent awards.

Test judges Paul and Mary Rose Brin of Smithfield, R.I. set
up four very nice series for the poodles. The land series
for the Working Certificate event was two singles set on the
side of a hill, with the first mark coming left to right over a
stone wall, and falling just in the corner of the field along a
small brook into a change of cover. The second land mark
came right to left over another stone wall, falling just inside
the corner of the field into light cover. Dogs ran diagonally
down the hill to the marks with great enthusiasm.

There is no question that the award for the “biggest heart,”

had to go Ready, Watch Me, Pamina, call name Mina, a toy
poodle owned and handled by Betsey Kilmartin. Weighing
just 4 pounds, this little dynamo marked both birds easily,
and put her entire self into her retrieves. Mina managed to
get the duck (which was twice her size and weight) up the
hill from the first mark, but came up just short on the sec- Qualifiers for the 2009 Poodle Club of Massachusetts WC/WCX
ond. What a gal—she really tried with all her might, but the event. From left to right:
weight and size of the bird proved too much. The applause
from the gallery was outstanding and well deserved! Handler Pat Rose with Harper & Olivia; Handler Richard A. Cal-
lahan with Sky; Handler Danielle Rouleau with Wigeon and Ru-
ger; Judges Mary Rose & Paul Brin; Handler Jack Combs with
The land series for the Working Certificate Excellent moved Ten and Handler Denise Herman with Lucy.
to a second field, which offered different challenges for the
more experienced dogs. The first mark was launched from
the woods over a stone wall. The launcher was completely
hidden from view offering a very realistic hunting scenario.
The bird was launched from left to right over a stone wall
into cover. The second bird came right to left, again over a Entries represented Ohio, New York, Massachusetts and
stone wall into cover. The dogs again ran from the top of the Rhode Island.Despite the weather, the enthusiasm support-
hill, down into the field below. Each mark had three changes ing the poodle as a working retriever was perfect! Many in
of cover to challenge the dogs. the gallery were first-time viewers to hunting poodles and I
heard lots of cheering and admiration from all.
Land series over, everyone moved to the barn for some much
welcomed New England Clam Chowder and Clam Cakes Cont. on page 12
The Poodle Papers
 Page 11

Photos by Luchi Gay & Mia DiBenedetto

Poodle Club of Massachusetts 2009

The Poodle Papers

 Page 12
cont. from page 10
I would like to thank the Poodle Club of Massachusetts, es-
pecially President Mary Lebet and WC/WCX Show Chair-
man Judy Schwerdt for their continued support of working
poodles. Our hosts Betsey and David Kilmartin created a
paradise for us as the test grounds were magnificent! Thanks
also should be awarded to those participants and guests who
helped with the set-up and take down of the test.
WC/WCX Judges Paul and Mary Rose Brin, of New Eng-
land Retrievers, worked tirelessly setting up and preparing
for the tests. They put the handlers at ease, and worked to
explain each scenario, giving everyone the benefit of their
experience with training retrievers.
Both judges expressed excitement at being a part of the poo-
dles ‘early’ field work and Hunt Testing in the U.S. and say
they were thrilled to see so many smiles on so many faces.
This event showed the diversity of the poodle. The test
shows the retrieving abilities of the dog and the versatility
of the breed.
Thank you to all handlers and their poodles! We hope you
enjoyed the day.
Congratulations to the Working Certificate winners:
JO Whirlwinds Majormajormajor UDX2,OMI, SH, WCX,
Call Name: Harper, M, Standard 02/02/04, Breeder: Patricia
Rose, Owner: Patricia Rose , Wadsworth,OH 44281
CH Poo’Pla’s Lagavulin Sky, Call Name: Sky, M, Standard,
12/12/2005 , Breeder: Claudia A. Straitiff , Owner: Richard
A. Callahan, Holden, MA 01520
When the Gunsmoke Clears, CGC RN, JH, WC,WCX, Call
Name: Ruger, M, Standard , 2/19/04 Breeder Arlene Mills,
Owner: Danielle Rouleau & Ross LeBlanc, Athol, MA
0133
Napoli Oneacmepoodlekit UDX, WC, Call Name: Olivia, F,
Standard 02/05/01, Breeder: Judy Burgoyne, Owner: Patri-
cia Rose, Wadsworth, OH 44281
Stoney Brook D.WC, WCX, Call Name: Lucy, F, Stan-
dard,10/30/2000, Breeder: Sandra Cointreau Levine, Owner:
Denise Herman, Stanfordville, NY, 12581
UKC CH Tintlot’s Classic First Stop, CD, RN, CGC,VC,
WC, Call Name: Wigeon F, Standard, 08/13/05, Breed-
er: Gloria Ogdahl, Owner: Danielle Rouleau , Athol, MA
01331
And congratulations to our Working Certificate Excellent
winners:
JO Whirlwinds Majormajormajor UDX2,OMI, SH, WCX,
Call Name: Harper, M, Standard 02/02/04, Breeder: Patricia
The Poodle Papers
Rose, Owner: Patricia Rose , Wadsworth,OH 44281
Bibelot’s Tolka Hands Up MH, Call Name: Ten, F, Standard,
05/06/06, Breeder; Susan Fraser & Deb Drake, Owner: Jack
Combs & Mia DiBenedetto, Wickford, RI 02852
2009 ESPN
Show Dog Championship
Date Day Time (Eastern) Broadcast Network
Show
12/6/09 Sunday 5:30pm - 7:00pm Re-Air ESPN 2
Oklahoma City
Date Day Time (Eastern) Network
Show
2/6/2010 Saturday 8:00pm - 11:00pm
APL
AKC/Eukanuba National Championship
2/6/2010 Saturday 11:00pm - 2:00am
APL
AKC/Eukanuba National Championship
2/7/2010 Sunday 12:00pm - 3:00pm
APL
AKC/Eukanuba National Championship
2/13/2010 Saturday 4:00pm - 7:00pm
APL
AKC/Eukanuba National Championship
2/18/2010 Thursday 8:00pm - 11:00pm
APL
AKC/Eukanuba National Championship
2/18/2010 Thursday 11:00pm - 2:00am
APL
AKC/Eukanuba National Championship
2/21/2010 Sunday 3:00pm - 6:00pm
APL
AKC/Eukanuba National Championship
3/1/2010 Monday 8:00pm - 11:00pm
APL
AKC/Eukanuba National Championship
3/1/2010 Monday 11:00pm - 2:00am
APL
AKC/Eukanuba National Championship
 Page 13
Greater Milwaukee Poodle Club
Working Certificate and Working
Certificate Wrap up.
First off…I want to say THANK YOU to all the folks that
helped at the GMPC WC/WCX.
Our tests this year were held at Wern Valley Sportsman’s
Club, a beautiful shooting preserve in Waukesha WI . The
club house really added to the event this year and we were
very thankful for it with the weather we had believe me!
Pepsi Gilson and Toni Raden… and all the folks that gave all
the donations of all the food, what can I say…GMPC does
food great, the layout looked like a smorgasbord!
The field workers were super! Many had not done this type
of thing before, and were willing learners, as they had to
learn how to use a Tangelo Tosser, a type of a sling shot
device that threw the birds into a nice arc, with the tap of
a foot, instead of a heave of an arm. The folks in the blinds
also had to blow a duck call and shoot a blank load from a
single shot, shot gun. Sounds easy…at times…but for those
new to the game, it is can be very difficult, and then you have
to hide behind a blind and not make a sound until the dog
gets the bird, so as not to distract the dog…and do this in the
mist/rain and wind…
LIKE I SAID the workers were super!
All also seemed to have a good time too, and that is im-
portant, because camaraderie in the club is what makes this
event special. Breed, Obedience, Agility, and Field people
all coming together to play in the mud to help maintain the
breed’s inborn instincts of a working dog.
GMPC has always been supportive of performance pro-
grams in the breed, and that is so important to maintain an
all around dog.
Bev Duerst was our Chief Marshal, Susanne Nash and Ann
Helm were her assistant Marshal’s and also had a turn in the
field at the gun stations.
John Pittman, Jean Lazarus, Rosane Aman, Sally Flunker,
Andrea Nepras, Lora DeSombre, Karen Slack, Guy Schaal,
Deb Sadjak were in the field working and my set up guys
were Pete Radnek, Crazy Mike, and Dennis Slack who
helped with the setup tear down and field education of the
workers. I hope the heck to not have forgotten anyone!
We had 3 photographers too! Alissa from www.Pet-Person-
alities.com
The Poodle Papers
Shot photos as did John Carelli, (Dee is now calling him
the Photography god!) and our own Dee Schaal did a good
job with the “human interest” side for our GMPC website (
www.greatermilwaukeepoodleclub.org )
We had a nice entry of 17 poodles and 24 runs. There were
11 WCX entries, and 13 WC entries.
We had 5 states represented as well, North Carolina , Texas ,
Minnesota , Michigan , and Wisconsin .
All the dogs entered were standard poodles, as were the set
up dogs, test dogs and the pick up dogs.
So we had an all poodle review!
The dogs that ran test were accomplished poodles and each
was introduced by Bev prior to running their test dog assign-
ment, sort of like a “parade of field dogs”.
The accomplished test dogs were:
Int CH&UKC CH HRCH UH UCD Call Me Ragtime Char-
lie UD RE MH MX AXJ NAP NJP AAD JHD WCX VCX
(Charlie)
owned/handled by Jacquelyn Taylor
CH Carlyn’s Neon Moon JH WCX (Chip) owned /handled
by Joyce Carelli
And Gary Scoval’s two dogs:
HR Cosmic Mountain Scout SH, WCX ( Scout)
And HR Cosmic Lakeland’s Le Beau SH, WCX, CGC
(Beau)
Left to right: Judge Jean Granger, Ed & Melissa Wojciechowski with Kodi
& Pearl, Cheryl & Antony Newman with Lambeau and Josie, Jaci Bowman
& Woodie, Libby Erickson & Rider, Lin Gelbman with Tye & Cache, Gary
Scovel & Callie, Jacquelyn Taylor with Jazz & Pasa, and Judge Doug Ken-
nedy.
Cont. on page 14
 Page 14.
cont. from page 13
The weather cooperated and waited to down pour, during the
lunch break when every one was inside, so that worked!
The misting in the morning gave the feeling of a true hunting
scenario, the light mist and wind that duck hunters think is
great, as it gets the birds moving to nicer places, and during
that time, the hunters hope they pass in front of their guns!
Then the drying out in the afternoon, again was nice, all in
the temperatures in the high 60’s, to pushing 70.
The Judges, Jean Granger, and Doug Kennedy were thought-
ful and fair with their setups, and their judging. Those that
didn’t bring home a ribbon that day know what they need
work on, those that did, should be proud of their ribbon as
the dogs deserved it.
The land marks were down a rise, first bird landing in very
light cover, generally visible from the line, the second bird
down, was at a 90+ degrees to the right of the first and a
shorter mark falling into deeper cover, of a hay field that was
cut 2 weeks ago, of mixed grass and alfalfa with the alfalfa
having a growth spurt due to the rain we had the last week,
so it was taller then we needed but the short grass between
it made the marks
do-able.
The same fall areas were used for the WCX and the WC,
with the line moved up for the WC.
There was some handling on the marks this year, but the
dogs that marked well did well, and didn’t need the help.
The dogs that relied on their noses to the birds had some
trouble as the wind was in the blowing and swirling mode
that caused some problems as the weather kept changing
throughout the morning as the front moved through, which
did change the test from what was originally set up…Mother
Nature likes to do that sometimes and I guess that is why
these things are called TESTS!
We also had a bunch of barn swallows that were diving for
bugs, that did distract a few dogs marking as well.
The water marks were in a pond with several cuts into the
banks, first bird being launched off from the left, second
from a point to the right. The handler stood in an opening
between some trees that prevented the dog cheating the bank
and gave the marks a picture window effect, most of the dogs
were successful on these marks, and it was all pretty much
swimming water to and from the marks.
After the tests were done we returned to the clubhouse for
the ribbon ceremony with rosettes, duck bands and this
year, I did some congratulatory certificates for the dogs that
passed. We have been doing this for the new title winners
at the GMPC Specialty and All Breed Obedience and Rally
trial we host in June and they are well received, and use them
The Poodle Papers
for our Parade of Champions at our Spring Specialty ( did I
mention we are a busy club) so I thought why not here!
After that we gathered with the qualifying dogs for a photo,
and the 5th GMPC WC WCX was history…
BUT the hunting poodle weekend was not done yet!
Two of the handlers headed back to Minnesota, one to judge
a hunt test, and the other to run in one on the next day…the
rest went to the Badger State and WisIll Hunting Retriever
Test at the Bong Rec Area, and many came home with passes
and titles in all 3 levels of testing there…the Poodles out-
numbered the Chesapeakes and Flat Coats at this weekends
tests, and mostly because of the GMPC WC/WCX bringing
them into the area on Friday a win win for all!
Now for the nitty gritty…
WCX Passes: 7 passed out of 11
HRCH Ben-Cher’s Kodiak Brown Bear SH WCX (Kodi):
Ed Wojciechowski
CH Lemerle Silk Cashmere JH WCX(Cache) Lin Gelbman
Tudorose Lambeau WCX (Lambeau) Antony Neuman
Int&UKC CH HR Osea Que Pasa CD RE SH NAJ HCT
WCX(Pasa)Jacquelyn Taylor
SHR Ben-Cher’s Proverbial Pearl JH WCX (Pearl ) Melissa
Wojciechowski
Tudorose Great Anna Stuart(Josie) Antony Newman
Tudorose Blk Forest Calla Lily WC CGC( Callie) Gary
Scovel
WC Passes: 8 passed out of 13
Tudorose Lambeau WCX (Lambeau) Antony Neuman
CH Lemerle Silk Cashmere JH WCX (Cache) Lin Gelb-
man
SHR Texas Rock’n Jazztime (Jazz)CD,RE,JH,MX,MXJ,AD
,AJ,PJ3,PS2,PK2, WCX (Jaz) Jacquelyn Taylor
Tudorose Great Anna Stuart(Josie) Antony Newman
CH Lemerle Silk Tie (Tye) PP11734303 Lin Gelbman
Int&UKC CH HR Osea Que Pasa CD RE SH NAJ HCT
WCX (Pasa) Jacquelyn Taylor
Cont. on page 15
 Page 15
cont. from page 14
Swags Runs Smooth As Silk CDX RN JH(Rider) Lizabeth Erickson

CH UAgl Autumn Hill Oakwind Express RN NA NAJ FN AD SJ SG SS WC (Woodie) Jaci Bowman

JACI BOWMAN
GMPC 2009
WC/WCX Coordinator and Secretary

Judge to the left, Jean granger, to the right Doug Kennedy, Handler Jacquelyn
Taylor, dog is Int&UKC CH HRCH Osea Que Pasa CD RE SH NAJ HCT
WCX.

Antony Neuman and Tudorose Lambeau WCX.

L-R Pete Radnek (set up) Susanne Nash ( asst. mar-

shal) Jean Granger (judge) Doug Kennedy(judge)
Pepsi Gilson ( Chair) Gary Scoval, Jaci Bowman
(secy) Joyce Carelli ( behind Jaci, you can see her
head sort of LOL) and Helen Scoval...

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 Page 16
From : Poodle Club of Central California
tion and answer clo-
‘Grooming for Beginners’ sure. Our Miniature
Representative, Kathy
Poodle Club of Central California offered this groom- Poe, Chairperson,
ing seminar in August, aimed at not just Poodle owners, but was an equal partner
owners of any dog. This public education/outreach program in all of the planning
was a demonstra- for this club event but
tion-only semi- was unable to actually
nar. Second Vice be a presenter due to a
President Cheryl new litter.
Braswell and De- This event will be
Witt Bolden (much listed as part of our
appreciated volun- AKC ‘compliance’
teer) demonstrated requirements for ap-
the basics needed proval of the 2010
for all owners to specialties, but the in-
be able to groom tent is to offer it again,
their pets, whether in a different area of
pure bred or mixed the San Francisco Bay Area as
breed. The dogs there is obviously a need for
used for their dem- this information.
onstrations were There is a possibility that it
Miniature Poodles may be offered at a grooming
and a Shih Tzu in shop so an actual bath can be
pet trim, and as expected, these had outgoing personalities. demonstrated.
With two grooming tables set up, these experts We recommend that
showed types of equipment and demonstrated how and when other affiliate clubs consider
to use each. They offered this type of outreach to the
suggestions for safe sur- public as a way to share our
faces that would work expertise and improve pub-
for home grooming when lic opinions about us and our
the owner does not want sport.
to invest in a grooming
table. Basic tips for care
of nails, ears, and teeth, Sally Vilas, President
which are so important
for the health and hy- Poodle Club of Central California

giene of our dogs, were carefully

explained.
Although no dog was actu-
ally bathed, Cheryl and DeWitt had
a large bucket filled with products
and supplies, and the purpose of
each was discussed. Several types
of hair dryers were demonstrated.
Participants received a written
overview of the information cov-
ered in the seminar plus a list of
supplies and sources. All attendees
expressed appreciation for the very
practical presentation and the ques-

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 Page 17

Happy Campers

By Joyce Miller
Photos by Steve Surfman

The 22 Poodle Campers that attended the Fall II session of Camp Gone to the Dogs take time
out of their busy schedule to pose for a group shot.

Of the 135 dogs that attended the Fall II session

of Camp Gone to the Dogs in September 2009
at Stowe, Vermont, there were 22 Poodles, the
largest group of the 37 breeds represented.
This camp is perfect for the versatile Poodle,
with classes in all levels of agility, CGC prep-
aration, competition obedience, doggie square
dancing, flyball, freestyle dancing, jump chute,
K9 disc, lure coursing, rally, recall, tracking,
and tricks and games. The June Camp (AKA
“The Big Camp”) in Marlboro, Vermont, adds
dock diving, herding, hunting, and swimming
to the schedule.

cont. on page 18
The Poodle Papers
 Page 18

Poodle Campers that attended

the Fall II session of
Camp Gone to the Dogs 2009

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 Page 19
•Following is information on a study for Legg Calve Perthes Disease at Clemson University. Many people over
the years have asked if there was a study for this.Please take the time to contact Alison Starr if you can help
her with this study. I hope many Poodle Breeders will help in this study. Leslie

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 Page20

Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease Study at Clemson University

Alison N. Starr, Ph.D.

Research Assistant Professor
Clemson University
51 New Cherry St; 319 BRC
office: 864.656.0191
fax: 864.656.0393

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 Page 21

The Poodle Papers

 Page 22

Working Poodle

PCA April 2010

“Want to see if your Poodle has instinct for retrieving? Check out the WC WCX Premium for
more info. on how you can participate in an informal fun session conducted by the Working
Poodle Committee at PCA 2010? “

PCA will be conducting an informal Field Aptitude Evaluation for anyone who wants to partici-
pate during the WC/WCX test day in April. There will be a separate one page “flyer” included
with the PLs. No need to sign up in advance - bring your poodle (any size) and sign up the morn-
ing of the WC/WCX. We’ll explain the rules for WC/WCX, work with each dog (and owner) to
see if they have the instincts and aptitude for field work. I know lots of folks are curious -- here’s
the opportunity in an informal setting to see what their poodle will do with toys/bumpers/birds.
Should be a fun experience!

Joyce Carelli

For more information:

“If you are interested in learning more about
Tracking or how to get started in Tracking,
contact Carol Pernicka at tracker@lpbroad-
band.net”

“The rules and guidelines for participating

in the WC WCX can be found on the PCA
website. If you are interested in learning
more about the WC WCX or starting ba-
sic retriever training, please contact Joyce
Carelli at jcarelli@bellsouth.net or Linda
Miller at rmiller942@comcast.net”

THANKS EVERYONE.

Claudia *photo by Jon Carelli

cstraitiff00@bellsouth.net

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 Page 23
PCA Specialty 2010 “OUT- If you have been waiting to make the draw for a TD or TDX

DOOR EVENTS” Update

Submitted by Claudia Straitiff
Tracking and Hunting events just can’t be held indoors –
so our team looks forward to good weather in April 2010!
Please note that the AKC corresponding calendar week for
PCA is one week later this year – and that means seven days
closer to the sun!
We are always looking for volunteer help at these events. If
in your local area to no avail, we encourage you to enter at
PCA as it is for Poodles only. [In the event that the number
of entries exceeds the test limits, a random draw will be held
on April 8 to determine test participants]. If one part of the
test (TD or TDX) doesn’t fill and there are alternates for the
other, tests may be substituted on a 2 (TD) for 1 (TDX) ba-
sis.
The Tracking Tests will be held at the Fairhill Natural Re-
source Management Area, Parking Lot #3 in Elkton, MD.
The test site is about two hours (for those of us who drive
faster ~ a little shorter) north from Salisbury. Joan Scott,
PCA Board Member is the Chair for the event this year and
Joyce Lindloff is the Chief Track Layer. Carol Stone is the
Tracking Test Secretary.

you would like to help out at Tracking, the Hunt tests or the
WC WCX tests, please contact the chairmen or secretaries of
the events for more information. More information will be
available in the Premiums.
To our already existing committees and volunteers AS AL-
WAYS we thank you for supporting our and our Poodles’
passion – playing outdoors!
Last year was the first year that the PCA Tracking Test was
offered and the response by exhibitors and the gallery was
enthusiastic. Having held our first test, we are now able to
offer the next level of difficulty for trackers which demands
more advanced nose work by the Poodles. We know that
many tracking Poodles are working hard to get certified so
that they can enter the event and we’re looking forward to
watching them follow their noses to the glove at PCA!
For those that would like to come watch these marvelous
Poodles of all sizes, we offer transportation from the main
site to the tracking areas – and there are folks all around to
explain the event.
If you’d like to volunteer to be a Tracklayer, (you’ll be need-
ed both Thursday AND Friday), please contact Joyce Lind-

POODLES’ NOSES
TO THE GROUND AT
PCA TRACKING DOG
TEST!

It is “eight days of play”

at PCA beginning with
Tracking on Friday,
April 23, 2010 in Elkton,
MD. This year we will
be adding Tracking Dog
Excellent (TDX) events
to our test in addition to
the Tracking Dog (TD)
events. The test will be
limited to Poodles only.
There will be 6 TD Tracks
and 3 TDX tracks.

cont. on page 24
The Poodle Papers
 Page 24
cont. from page 23
loff, Chief Track Layers at fleetwood12@verizon.net. You
can get more information regarding
test details by contacting Test Secre-
tary, Carol Stone at shwartzpudel@
hughs.net.

HUNT UP SOME FUN AT PCA

HUNTING RETRIEVER AND WC
WCX TESTS

The AKC Hunting Retriever Test and

the PCA sponsored Working Certifi-
cate (WC) and Working Certificate
Excellent (WCX) events will return
to Salisbury, MD on Saturday April
24 and Sunday, April 25, 2010. Anat-
idae Farm, the location for the events,
enables easier access to test specta-
tors and participants as well as con-
venient parking for all.

This is a very special site and we are pleased to be invited
back by Frank and Teri Durham who own Anatidae Farm.
The Farm is conveniently located a mere 20 to 25 minutes
driving time from downtown Salisbury. Directions and times
of the events can be found in the Premium
lists – but the events go all morning and
usually end in the mid afternoon – so come
on out and join us to see Poodles perform
one of their historical tasks – bringing back
the ducks for their owners.
The judges, Dave and Peggy Bauman, are
already expressing their excitement at be-
ing asked to judge the Poodles. Dave and
Peggy are committed to making this an ex-
tra special weekend for everyone involved
and want new and experienced handlers
alike to enjoy the experience.
The AKC Hunting Retriever Tests will be
held on Saturday and will feature Poodle
exhibitors in the Junior, Senior and Master
Hunter venues. Our new format enables
a first time participant or spectator to un-
derstand the progression of skills needed to
achieve these AKC titles. The tests will begin with the land
elements of the Junior Hunter stake and will proceed to Se-
nior and Master levels. After land elements are completed,
the participants move to the water elements of the same
stakes in the same order.
On Sunday – more Poodles – participate in the Working
The Poodle Papers
Certificate (WC) and Working Certificate Excellent (WCX)
tests. These tests are sponsored specifically by the Poodle
Club of America and generally are a lot of fun for everyone
involved.
Poodles retrieve ducks on both
land and water – strutting their
stuff and proud to be part of the
day. They just love when you
come out to cheer them on – so
join us rain or shine at the Ana-
tidae Farm.
Wondering what retrieving is all
about? In case you get the bug
to test your dogs skills at retriev-
ing, on Sunday at the WC WCX
test site we’re planning an infor-
mal opportunity for folks to see
if their Poodles have the instinct
for birds and retrieving. The WC
WCX Premium list will carry
more detail about the opportu-
nity. We hope you can come!
Contact Joyce Carelli (WC WCX Chairman) at jcarelli@
bellsouth.net, Linda Miller (Hunt Test Chairman) at rmill-
er942@comcast.net, or Claudia Straitiff/Dana Stewart (Pro-
gram Directors) at cstraitiff@mail.com for more informa-
tion.
* Photos by Steve Surfman
 Page 25
CHOOSING AN AGILITY
PROSPECT
Poodle breeders and owners are fond of saying that their
puppies or dogs would make great agility dogs. For breed-
ers who have never trained and campaigned an agility dog,
“great agility prospect” can be translated into “not show
quality.” For the poodle owner who has not trained an agility
dog, “he’d be great at agility” means the dog jumps on and
off the furniture and on guests with enthusiasm. Although
either of these might well be a great agility dog, the real cri-
teria in judging a prospect comes down to mental and physi-
cal soundness and that quality we call “drive.”
Starting with physical soundness, obvious requirements are
good hips and knees. In the adult dog, hips should be x-rayed
and examined by a professional to rule out hip dysplasia. If
buying a miniature or standard puppy, buying from a breeder
who OFA’s their breeding stock increases the chances of get-
ting good hips in the offspring. Especially in toy and minia-
ture poodles, luxating patellas are common. Knees should
be nice and tight, with no squishy popping sounds when the
joint is manipulated. Severely bad knees can even be diag-
nosed in puppies by a knowledgeable veterinarian. If start-
ing with an adult dog, having hips and knees checked before
starting agility training can keep a trainer from wasting time
with a dog that may not be able to hold up to the rigors of
jumping.
Although many dogs which compete successfully in agility
do not have the soundest builds, agility trainers should have
some knowledge of desirable conformation. “Good angles”
in the shoulder and rear end are important. This refers to the
angles made by the leg bones when viewed from the side.
Front legs should come out from under the dog at the deepest
part of his chest, and not appear to come out from under the
chin, when viewed from the side. The shoulder blades should
lay back into the back, and not be angled up into the neck.
Angulation in the rear ideally should be adequate without
being over-done, as is often seen in standard and toy poodles
in the breed ring. Dogs whose hocks extend in an exagger-
ated way well beyond their rumps, when viewed from the
side, and those with “sickle hocks” (many dogs have both)
are generally weaker in the rear, and don’t have the fast ac-
celeration and quickness in maneuvering that make for great
agility dogs. Ideally, the rear pastern should be perpendicu-
lar to the ground when the dog stands naturally (un-posed).
In a dog with “sickle hocks,” this bone is angled under the
dog when he stands naturally.
A nice long stride, and not short choppy movement, will
make the dog more efficient with his movement. Some have
The Poodle Papers
described good movement in a dog by saying that you could
“set a glass of water on his back” when the dog trots, and
not spill any. This indicates good “shock absorbers,” which
good angles provide. Some dogs, due to their short stride,
give the impression of moving very fast because there is a lot
of activity when they run, but they are deceptively slow.
Excessive width between the front legs and “pigeon toes”
(feet turned in) are particularly undesirable traits, and are
“widely” seen in toy and miniature poodles in the breed ring.
Wide elbows are easily felt by running the hands, perpen-
dicular to the ground, down the sides of the dog’s shoulders.
Elbows shouldn’t be felt when doing this. Wide fronts often
translate into shoulder strains and soreness in the agility dog,
as the shoulders get quite a pounding in agility. In modera-
tion, narrowness between the front legs, some “easty-westy”
(toes pointing away from each other) in the front or rear legs,
and “cow hocks” (the hock joints close to each other) are not
in and of themselves bad traits for an agility dog. They gen-
erally make the dog quicker in direction changes, not only in
running courses, but in doing weave poles.
The agility prospect should be able to see well. While a
veterinary ophthalmologist can determine if a dog is blind,
or has some progressive eye disease such as cataracts or pro-
gressive retinal atrophy, he cannot determine if a dog has
good eyesight. Conditions that can be diagnosed and cor-
rected in humans, such as near- and far-sightedness, cannot
be diagnosed in a dog, but they definitely exist. These con-
ditions are one of the leading causes of stutter-stepping, or
taking off too soon or too late when jumping. The dog can
see the obstacle, but just can’t determine exactly how far he
is from it, leading to lack of confidence in his take-off point.
Many act a bit frantic in their jumping. These dogs may
compensate by jumping higher in order to clear the jump,
but they lose time doing this, and it puts more strain on their
bodies over time. Faulty depth perception can sometimes
be observed in puppies—they jump up on a step and miss
and hit their chins, or take a big leap to jump over a door
facing, and land on it instead. Puppies are clumsy, and one
incident shouldn’t lead to a diagnosis, but I’ve had a couple
of toy poodles with this problem, and this behavior could be
observed at an early age.
Another trait I like in an agility dog is physical sensitivity.
In puppies, this can be determined by pinching the skin be-
tween the toes or the ear flap with finger nails, and seeing
if the puppy jerks the foot or head away or cries out. Some
dogs are notoriously “tough.” This can play out in a dog
that doesn’t mind knocking bars down and perhaps bailing
off the highest obstacles—he doesn’t feel it or doesn’t care.
They can also be insensitive to correction, which means the
trainer has to work a lot harder for the same results.
cont. on page 26
 Page 26
cont. from page 25
As far as being good at agility, it doesn’t matter a great deal
whether the dog has an out-going personality or not. So long
as the dog is not overly fearful of, or aggressive towards,
people or other dogs, the good agility dog usually gets ex-
cited about doing agility and eventually starts ignoring ev-
erything but the obstacles and his handler. I prefer a friendly
dog just because that is the type of dog I like to live with,
but a dog that is reserved with strangers and doesn’t care
for other dogs can do just as well. I would certainly avoid
a psycho dog that is disabled by fear or aggression towards
people or dogs, but a reserved dog that simply does not care
for anyone but its own family can do fine. Dogs that are
extremely fearful of loud sounds will have a harder time at
agility. The teeter IS going to bang, the PA system is going
to crackle, dogs are going to bark, and people will holler at
agility trials. But many sound-sensitive dogs are very good
at agility—they get excited enough about it to tune out the
noise. A side note about sound-sensitive dogs: they never
seem to mind their OWN barking!!
On a doggy personality scale of very needy to extremely in-
dependent, I would err on the side of needy. It is harder to
get the independent ones to pay attention and respond to the
handler’s directions. The independent ones tend to want to
make up their own course, go investigating sights and smells,
or just leave the ring if it suits their fancy. When looking at
a litter or assessing an adult prospect, the needy ones fol-
low a person around and seek attention. The independent
ones usually wander off to investigate their surroundings. I
like boldness (meaning not wimpy—a dog with courage), as
they are less tentative when doing contact equipment, and
are more forgiving of correction and our blunders as agil-
ity trainers/handlers. However, boldness has its drawbacks.
These dogs are equally happy jumping off the top of the A-
frame and forgetting to wait for the teeter to go down before
leaving, so training and maintaining contact criteria is harder
in the bold dog.
The last factor that a great agility dog has is an intangible
quality we call “drive.” It is “the need for speed.” It is
that quality that causes a dog to give its all—100% all the
time. It might be the most important quality, and the hardest
to identify in a prospect. The opposites of “drive” are lazi-
ness, lethargy, or being laid-back. Great drive can make up
for deficiencies in build and general temperament. When I
have a litter of puppies, I watch for certain behaviors that
will give me a clue as to a dog’s drive. The puppy that is in
the biggest hurry to go outside or come in might have drive
(or it might just be very dominant!) I stage “puppy races”
where I have the litter with me at one end of the yard, then
I “dash” (those who know me must take this with a grain
of salt) to the other end of the yard, and see which one gets
The Poodle Papers
to me first. The puppy that is not interested in playing the
game, or is fastest getting AWAY from me, is not the one I
want!!! That puppy would be too independent to suit me.
The fastest puppy in the litter may not be the best agility dog.
The fastest puppy which uses his speed to cooperate with me
is the one I want. Prey drive is an integral part of the drive
we want in agility. I roll a toy out in front of the puppy, or
drag a toy on a rope around for the puppy to see. The puppy
I want races after it and pounces on it, and it’s icing on the
cake if he heads back my way with it. I don’t want the one
that saunters over to check it out. I want a puppy or dog that
can be enticed to play tug-of-war. Being able to use toys as
“targets” in training is valuable, as is being able to dissipate
stress, rev the dog up, or reward the dog with toy-retrieving
and tugging. Dogs that run back to the handler to grab a toy
and tug ARE running back to the handler—a much-needed
skill! That being said, a great agility dog doesn’t need to be
“revved up.” They blast off the start line because they love
to go, go, GO!
Agility as a sport encompasses a wide variety of skill levels,
both in the dogs and in the handlers, and can be enjoyed
by serious competitors as well as weekend “duffers.” Many
dogs which will never be “great” at agility nevertheless ben-
efit from it. Many dogs gain confidence when given an ac-
tive job, and it is great exercise for both dogs and people.
The social aspect of meeting friends for training or for an
agility weekend is incentive enough for many people to be
fans of the sport. So, this article on choosing an agility dog
is not meant to dissuade anyone from giving agility a try,
but might help breeders selling dogs to agility trainers, and
trainers looking to “upgrade” their agility experience with a
more competitive dog.
Joann Neal
ABRAHAM LINCOLN:
And in the end, it’s not the years in
your life that count. It’s the life in
your years.
 Page 27
Vaccine for Canine In-
fluenza Virus Expected to
Help Prevent Outbreaks
“Dukes Up,” a young black-and-white Greyhound, was on
track to becoming a racing champion in April 2005, when a
sudden, terrifying outbreak of canine influenza struck Dairy-
land Greyhound Park in Kenosha, Wis., where Duke lived.
Over a two-week period, 1,200 dogs at Dairyland were ex-
posed to this highly contagious virus.
“First, two Greyhounds started coughing,” says Jenifer
Barker, D.V.M., senior state veterinarian for the Wisconsin
Division of Gaming. “The coughing gradually went through
all the kennel buildings. For the majority of dogs, a cough
was their only clinical sign. However, of the 950 dogs with
an active cough, 27 developed high fever or pneumonia.”
Duke was one of the dogs with pneumonia. His cough be-
came moist and congested, and was accompanied by 106-
degree fever. Duke developed a bloody nasal discharge, and
after being treated with a broad spectrum antibiotic and in-
travenous fluids, he improved within 24 hours.
“I didn’t think he was going to make it,” Barker says. “Dogs
in other locations that had acquired severe secondary infec-
tions with the influenza usually died within 24 hours from
hem­orrhagic pneumonia and septic shock.”
Duke, along with all the dogs at Dairyland, did pull through.
In 2008, he retired from a racing career and was the last “in-
fluenza dog” at the race track to be adopted into a home.
Linda Cliffel, the intake coordinator at Greyhounds Only
Inc. in southeastern Wisconsin, coordinated Duke’s adop-
tion. “Duke never had any lingering damage,” she says.
“You would never have known that he was so sick.“
Discovering CIV
The canine influenza virus (CIV) was discovered in the Unit-
ed States in 2004. A new preventive vaccine for CIV, devel-
oped by Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health, became
available last June. It is expected to help control outbreaks.
Cynda Crawford, D.V.M., Ph.D., clinical assistant professor
of shelter medicine at the University of Florida College of
Veterinary Medicine, had been tracking severe respiratory
outbreaks at Greyhound racetracks throughout the country.
“We had our first real occurrence in Jacksonville, Florida, in
January 2004,” says Crawford. “This was our opportunity to
dissect what was going on with these mysterious respiratory
outbreaks.”
The Poodle Papers
Eight of the 23 dogs monitored by Crawford in Jacksonville
died. Craw­ford’s team collected samples from the infected
dogs and consulted with Edward J. Dubovi, Ph.D., profes-
sor of virology at Cornell University College of Veterinary
Medicine.
Dubovi’s team isolated a virus in the collected samples that
was new to dogs. Dubovi and Crawford worked closely with
experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Preven-
tion (CDC) in determining that the Jackson­ville dogs were
afflicted with canine influenza, a type A influenza, subtype
H3N8 virus.
The CDC performed the molecular characterization of the
influenza virus from the sick racing greyhounds. The mo-
lecular analysis revealed that the virus had evolved from the
equine influenza virus.
“The discovery was novel because this is one of the rare ex-
amples of the transfer of an entire influenza virus from its
natural host, the horse, to another host, the dog,” explains
Craw­ford. “The final blow was that this virus was easily
transmitted among dogs. It had adapted over time so that it
no longer needed the original host to spread.”
Crawford and Dubovi initially felt that the virus was unique
to the racing Greyhound population. However, on­going sur-
veillance identified thousands of non-Greyhound dogs with
CIV in 30 states and the District of Columbia.
The virus isn’t breed- or age-specific, but “setting specific,”
in that it impacts dogs that live or work in close proxim-
ity to large numbers of dogs, Crawford says. Examples are
dogs living in shelters, boarding and training kennels, or pet
shops, or those that frequent grooming salons or day care
centers.
CIV infections have been documented in thousands of dogs,
and Dubovi and Crawford are concerned that the virus could
become pandemic. “We’re dealing with a virus that has
adapted to dogs through a series of mutations,” Dubovi says.
“If the virus continues to circulate in dogs unchecked, it’s
like trying to predict pandemic flu. The possibility exists that
the virus will become more adapted to dogs. Conse­quently,
the virus could spread even more frequently than it does cur-
rently.”
Canine influenza virus is considered an emerging disease,
making dogs of any breed, age or vaccination status suscep-
tible to infection due to a lack of pre-existing immunity. The
virus has an incubation period of two to four days before
clinical signs appear but is highly contagious before signs
cont. on page 28
 Page 28
cont. from page 27 The best approach for diagnosis of canine influenza is col-
lection of nasal swabs and serum samples, similar to those
appear. The peak shedding period, when dogs transmit the
gathered by Crawford in Florida. The swabs are used for
virus, is from day two to four, though viral shedding may
detection of virus in acutely infected dogs, and the serum
continue for up to 10 days.
samples are used for detection of CIV-specific antibodies
as a confirmatory test. Swabs should be collected from the
CIV is spread by aerosolization of respiratory secretions, or
nose and throat of dogs with clinical signs for one to three
by its hallmark cough. It also can be spread by direct con-
days to coincide with peak virus shedding. Positive results
tact with infected dogs or con­tami­nated inanimate objects.
are most likely correct, but negative results may be falsely
Though there is no evidence of trans­mission of the virus
negative due to critical timing of swab collection with peak
from dogs to humans, dogs can become infected by people
virus shedding.
moving among infected and uninfected dogs without proper
precautions.
No specific treatment exists for dogs infected with canine
influenza virus. The American Veterinary Medical Asso­
For many years, CIV was confused with Bordetella bron-
ciation recommends treatment that is largely supportive.
chiseptica, more commonly known as kennel cough. Ken-
Con­sci­entious animal care and nutrition help dogs build an
nel cough was a natural diagnosis, given the explosive onset
effective immune response. The nasal discharge, which most
of the coughing signs within a short period. According to
likely represents a secondary bacterial infection, is quite of-
Crawford, about 80 percent of influenza-infected dogs have
ten treated with a broad spectrum antibiotic. In the more se-
clinical disease, and 20 percent are subclinically infected.
vere form of the disease, pneumonia usually responds best
Exposed dogs must be considered an infectious risk, regard-
to hydration via intravenous fluids and a broad spectrum an-
less whether they show signs of respiratory infection.
tibiotic.
The cough is usually not the dry cough associated with Bor-
CIV has proved to be highly contagious, so all dogs thought
detella. Dogs infected with CIV typically develop a moist,
to be infected or exposed to the virus should be quarantined
congested cough that can last from 10 to 30 days.
from other dogs. “Infected dogs are contagious for up to 10
days, so a 14-day quarantine counting from the first day of
“In most dogs, the clinical signs are relatively mild,” says
Lesley King, director of the intensive care unit at the Univer-

New Poodle Judges

sity of Penn­syl­vania Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

“If the virus primarily attacks the upper respiratory tract,

most dogs will simply develop a nasty cough that can go on
a few weeks and then gradually clear up. However, in the
Mr. Wayne Harmon-Minneapolis, MN
ICU, we see a subset of dogs that develop pneumonia caused
by severe viral infection of the lungs, often with secondary Mrs. Marilyn Dromgoole-Berkeley, CA
bacterial infections.”

Ten to 20 percent of dogs, regardless of breed, age or health Mrs. Cindy /Vogels-Greenwood Village, CO
status, may develop secondary pneumonia, Crawford says.
These dogs usually require hospitalization. Overall, the mor- Ms Susie Osburn- Las Vegas, NV
tality rate for canine influenza is less than 8 percent; how-
ever, in dogs with pneumonia, some studies have indicated it
is as high as 44 percent. Mrs. Anne Savory Bolus- Apison,TN

New Preventive CIV Vaccine Mr. Carl Yochum-Memphis, TN

Unfortunately, CIV cannot be distinguished from other ca-
nine respiratory diseases based on clinical signs alone. “The
most important part of the diagnosis process is going to be
a health history,” says King. “Is this a dog that has been ex-
posed to CIV by being boarded at a kennel or placed in a
shelter? The majority of animals that I have seen with ca-
nine influenza have a history compatible with potential ex-
posure.” cont. on page 29

The Poodle Papers

 Page 29
cont. from page 28
clinical signs should be sufficient,” says Crawford.
A preventive vaccine for canine influenza virus, made from
the inactivated virus, was released last June. The vaccine
will aid in the control of canine influenza virus infection,
type A, subtype H3N8.
Studies conducted by Intervet/ Schering-Plough Animal
Health indicate that the vaccine can reduce the incidence and
severity of lung lesions, as well as the duration of coughing
and viral shedding. The vaccine is recommended for healthy
dogs at least 6 weeks of age, and it can be given annually as a
component of existing respiratory disease vaccine protocols
to ensure more comprehensive viral protection.
“Not all dogs should be given this vaccine,” cautions Craw-
ford. “This is a lifestyle vaccine that is probably best-suited
for dogs at risk for exposure to the virus — those frequently
boarded or housed in group facilities. Vaccination should
also be considered for dogs that live in communities where
canine influenza outbreaks have been reported. Increasing
community immunity by vaccinating more dogs will help
stop transmission of the virus.
“The vaccine may not be appropriate for a housedog that
stays at home and goes for walks around the neighborhood,
but we are a mobile society and our dogs frequently travel
with us. If you are traveling to an area where CIV is preva-
lent, then the risk for exposure increases and warrants con-
sideration of preventive measures such as vaccination.”
Despite Crawford’s suggestion that the vaccine should not
become part of the annual vaccination regimen for all dogs,
she is optimistic that the vaccine will help keep canine influ-
enza under control and limit its transmission from facility to
facility and community to community. “I’m hopeful that the
vac­cine will be put to good use and help dogs everywhere
that are housed in kennels and other environments with large
numbers of dogs,” she says.
Editor’s Note: Please note that canine influenza A subtype
H3N8 virus is different from the influenza A subtype H1N1
virus (swine flu) that affects humans. Humans are not at risk
for contracting canine influenza virus.
Sidebar
Signs of Canine Influenza Virus
“All dogs are susceptible to the canine influenza virus
(CIV),” says Edward J. Dubovi, Ph.D., professor of virol-
ogy at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.
“It affects dogs of all breeds and ages. Fifty to 80 percent of
exposed dogs will show some signs of the flu.”
The Poodle Papers
Clinical signs of CIV include:
• Green nasal discharge;
• Persistent, moist cough that often begins late at
night; and
• Low- to high-grade fever.
Some dogs become lethargic and may experience loss of ap-
petite. Dogs with the flu may cough for up to 30 days. Veteri-
nary researchers recommend that owners call their veterinar-
ian at the first sign of coughing.
Dogs in shelter facilities, boarding and training kennels, day
care centers, veterinary clinics, or pet stores are at highest
risk for CIV exposure. Cynda Crawford, D.V.M., Ph.D.,
clinical assistant professor of shelter medicine at the Uni-
versity of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, says the
influenza virus can live on surfaces of dog dishes, toys and
even kennels for up to two days, on clothing for one day, and
on hands not properly washed for up to 12 hours.
Crawford suggests that owners do not bring dogs that poten-
tially have been exposed to the virus to public gatherings.
Avoid taking them to dog classes, groomers, day care centers
or dog shows. “The dog may not appear ill, but he could
be infected, and thus could expose many other dogs to the
virus” she says.
Sidebar
Quarantine Steps for Handling a CIV Outbreak
The Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medi-
cine and the Univer­sity of California-Davis Koret Shelter
Medicine Program stress the importance of proper outbreak
management to prevent the spread of canine influenza virus
in kennel and shelter environments from the greater canine
population. If an outbreak occurs, infected animals should
be put in quarantine and isolation to help reduce virus dis-
semination. Steps of adequate isolation include:
• Assign limited, designated staff to enter quarantine/
isolation area;
• Staff should wear separate jumpsuits (full clothing
coverage), gloves, boots or shoe covers. Clothing can be
cleaned by washing with detergent at normal temperatures;
• Foot baths may be used, but should not be consid-
ered virus-proof;
• Maintain separate areas for cleaning, feeding and
treatment supplies;
• Keep ventilation as separate as possible; and
• Be sure dogs have separate kennels and do not share
common air space.
After a 14-day quarantine and isolation period, facilities
cont. on page 30
 Page 30
cont. from page 29
should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.

Sources: University of California-Davis Koret Shelter Medi-

cine Program and Iowa State University College of Veteri-
nary Medicine.

*Used with permission from the Purina Pro Club, Nestle Pu-
rina Pet Care Poodle History
Submitted by Sharon Finney

The Poodle Papers

 Page 31

P.C.A. Rescue

The Poodle Papers

 Page 32
Meet the Breeds
My First experience
Cindy Crawley
The AKC’s Meet the Breeds event was held on October
17 and 18 at the Javits Center in New York City. Poodle
Club of America was very well represented both days with
miniature and standard poodles and their owners in atten-
dance. Over the course of the two days, 36,000 people paid
$10 each to see 160 breeds of purebred dogs, 41 breeds of
purebred cats, more than 100 vendors, several speakers and
demonstrations including agility and conformation.
By the end of the first
day, it seemed as though
we had spoken to every
single person who walked
into the Javits Center.
The people were curious,
friendly and respectful;
most asked our permission
before they touched our
dogs. The poodle good-
will ambassadors included
two white standards, one
in show coat!, a black
standard, two white minis
and a black mini. Coin-
cidentally, all the poodles
on Saturday, the day that I
was there, were bitches.
The booth was a pipe-and-drape affair, fronted by two
draped eight foot tables where the poodles held court. The
back wall of the booth’s drapery was covered with post-
ers of poodles retrieving, doing agility, and in conforma-
tion competition. A brochure which detailed the PCA breed
standard and provided information on how to find a repu-
table breeder and purebred rescue had been prepared and
was passed out to interested individuals. Our supply of bro-
chures was quickly exhausted.
We wore buttons made up for each of us in the booth which
read “Just say NO to designer dogs!” These buttons gener-
ated quite a bit of discussion between us and the lay public.
Although some “got it” conceptually, many of them wanted
to know why we were against designer dogs. Although
we repeated ourselves time and time again, the repetition
was worth it as we made the case against designer dogs to
so many people. Most were ultimately convinced by our
argument, although one woman walked off seeming to be
a bit miffed. Maybe she owned a ‘doodle.’ The buttons
were very coveted by people representing some of the other
breeds that are frequently bastardized, the Lab and Golden
The Poodle Papers
people in particular.
We were so very busy in the booth that we scarcely had time
to visit the other booths. I saw just a fraction of what was
there on my way in and out of the building. I never did
see any of the cat exhibits. I saw a few high-end vendors,
in particular one booth that sold gorgeous collars and leads
adorned with Swarovski crystals and another that displayed
beautiful shoes with dog designs on the toes.
From what I was able to see, all the booths were occupied
with both human and canine representatives Some of the
breed folks dressed in costumes that reflected their breeds;
the Pharaoh Hound people were decked out in Egyptian
gowns and headdresses. Some of the Terrier folks got into
the Wizard of Oz mode with Dorothy, ruby-slippers and all,
and the Tin Man in attendance. (Here is a quiz – what breed
of terrier was Toto? Find the answer on the last page ). The
Black Russian Terrier folks had a mosque turret decorating
their booth, while the Labrador Retriever people had a big
bed in theirs. The best “look-alike” representative of a breed
had to have been the woman who had parted her hair high
on top of her head into two fly-away pig tails. I laughed out
loud when I looked down at the fluffy white dog on lead
with her, with its high set fly-away ears perfectly mimicked
by her hairdo. I wished for a camera. For the life of me, I
cannot remember what rare breed she claimed this little dog
was.
In the booth, we talked to people about “tiny teacup” poodles
and “Royal” standard poodles. It seemed that everyone’s
grandmother once had had a “teacup” toy. We explained
that no such size poodle existed and that often these terms
are fancy buzz words for expensive pets. We agreed with all
the people who said that poodles were very smart dogs. We
explained the ”fancy show clip“ to anyone who asked. We
encouraged people to use the AKC or PCA website to find a
reputable breeder or to find a purebred rescue if they wanted
a dog, rather than the many random Internet puppy broker
websites.
I arrived, having driven up to New York from Baltimore that
morning, at 10:30, missing the start by thirty minutes. The
next time I looked at my watch, it was 4:15. The venue
closed promptly at 5PM. The poodles had done their jobs
as goodwill ambassadors perfectly. Of course. My Rosie
got a double cheeseburger on the Jersey turnpike, curled up
in her crate and slept soundly all the way back to Baltimore.
It was quite an experience and one that we would gladly do
again.
movie, “Toto” was played by a female Cairn terrier.
did not specify ”Toto”’s breed in the book, The Wizard of Oz. In the
The answer to the Wizard of Oz question is: The author, L. Frank Baum
 Page 33

Meet the Breeds 2009 • October - New York City

© Leslie Newing 2009

The Poodle Papers
 Page 34

P.C.A. Foundation News

WIN A SCOOTER @ PCA 2010

Take a chance on winning this terrific mini-scooter and support our Poodle Foundation fund raising efforts!
Drawing to be held at PCA. You don’t need to be present to win. Your entry receipt provided by return mail.
Checks should be made out to the Poodle Club of America Foundation.

Please send your check to:

Nancy McGee
208 Crosbytown Rd.
Quitman, GA 31643-5795

Tickets $50.00 per ticket

* Note shipping in the Continental USA only.
MANY THANKS FROM THE POODLE FOUNDATION
SUPPORTING BETTER HEALTH FOR THE BREED WE LOVE

Tickets $50.00 per ticket

The Poodle Papers
 Page 35
UPDATE ON PCA 2010
SEMINAR AND HEALTH TESTING
PCA FOUNDATION SEMINAR
Tuesday, April 27, Wicomico Civic Center, DaNang Room
9:00-9:30 a.m. Registration
9:30-10 a.m. Introduction and Foundation News
10 a.m.-noon and 1-2:30 p.m. – What Everyone Needs to
Know About Canine Vaccines and Vaccination Programs.
Our featured speaker, Dr. Ronald D. Schultz, is Professor
and Chair of Pathobiological Sciences at the School of Vet-
erinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dr.
Schultz is widely recognized for his expertise and research
in immunology and vaccinology, and he’s an excellent
speaker! During the day, we will also have updates on
PCA Foundation-supported poodle health research and a
brief session on planning for the welfare of our dogs if they
should outlive us.
TESTING OFFERED AT WICOMICO CIVIC CENTER
• April 27: Blood draw for ongoing research at the
University of Missouri (epilepsy) and NIH (size/form/
growth and cancer genetics). NIH is also seeking samples
from white female Standard Poodles 5 years old and older
for a new DNA study to help determine why whites don’t
get the toe cancer sometimes seen in black Standards. 9
a.m. to 4 p.m.
• April 27: OptiGen prcd-PRA testing. 9 a.m. to 4
p.m.
• April 28: CERF clinic. $30 pre-paid. 9 a.m. to 4
p.m. (pre-registration information below)
• April 29-30: (tentative) Texas A&M heart screen-
ing for atrial septal defect in Standard Poodles. 9 a.m. to 4
p.m. (pre-registration information below)
• VetGen DNA test kits for vWD will be available
all week at a reduced cost of $99, with OFA registration for
$7.50.
• AKC DNA test kits will be available all week.
To pre-register for CERF and heart clinics, contact Tom
Carneal at tomdave@asde.net, 660-582-4955 or 25904
State Hwy. EE, Maryville, MO 64468. Pre-registration
deadline is April 1, 2010. Walk-ins are welcome at the
show if clinic slots are available.
Submitted by Pat Forsyth
The Poodle Papers
PCA FOUNDATION SEMINAR VIDEO:
POODLE TEMPERAMENT
Spooky, silly, nasty or bouncing-off-the-walls. We’ve all
heard about (or met!) poodles who might fit such labels, but
we also know that good poodles can’t be topped as canine
companions. So how would you describe proper poodle
temperament? How might it differ from other breeds? And
how important is heredity versus environment in shaping
temperament? How about color differences? Sex differenc-
es? How can we improve temperament through our breed-
ing programs?
The 1990 Poodle Club of America Foundation annual semi-
nar featured these and other questions in a wide ranging
discussion on poodle temperament. Del Dahl moderated a
panel of respected breeders including Pat Deshler (Deshler
Miniatures), John Fowler (Summermist Standards), Joan
Scott (Wissfire Toys) and Glenna Carlson (Ascot Standards).
After a short presentation by each panel member, Del opened
the floor to the audience. The resultant exchanges were fasci-
nating—and fun as well. For example, as breeders weighed
in on sex differences in temperament, Joan Scott said, “If
you get a male puppy during the housebreaking phase and he
has an accident, you find it right in front of you in the hall or
by the door. If you have a female, trust me, you won’t find it
till you do spring housecleaning!”
You can experience this discussion yourself, with its wisdom
and thought-provoking ideas in DVD (two VHS copies still
available at press time) for $20 (add $3.00 for foreign orders).
Send orders (check, MC or VISA) to Allen Kingsley, 3311
Kingfisher Ln., Denton, TX 76209. AJKFISHER2@AOL.
COM. For an order form, see The Poodle Papers, Summer,
2009 (pg. 33-34), www.poodleclubofamerica/pub2.
Watch upcoming newsletter issues for highlights from other
seminar videos.
submitted by Pat Forsyth and Nancy McGee
ANNIE DILLARD:
How we spend our days is, of
course, how we spend our lives.
 Page 36
News From OptiGen AKC CANINE HEALTH CONFERENCE

During the 3rd quarter of 2009 (July 1-September 30, 2009) The AKC Canine Health Foundation 2009 National
OptiGen tested 36 Dwarf Poodles for PRA, 123 Miniature Parent Club Canine Health Conference was held Oc-
Poodles for PRA and 102 Toy Poodles for tober 23-25 in St. Louis. This unique event, spon-
PRA. The breakdown is as follows: sored by Nestle Purina PetCare, offered presentations
by leading scientists on the latest advances in canine
Total Dwarf Poodles tested - 36
health research, as well as breakout discussions on is-
Normal - 17
Carrier - 19
sues critical to breeders, such as “Genetic Tests: How
Affected - 0 to Interpret Results and Incorporate Them into Your
Breeding Program.” The PCA Foundation will sum-
Total Miniature Poodles tested - 123 marize conference highlights in The Poodle Papers and
Normal - 102 on the PCA Web site’s Foundation page.
Carrier - 21
Affected - 0

Total Toy Poodles tested - 102

Normal - 63 DNA test kits for vWD are
Carrier - 37
Affected - 2
available now for $100.00
*the US comprises 25% of the total number of Poodles be-
ing tested this quarter. Payable to The Poodle Club of
America Foundation.
Countries testing this quarter include: Austria, Belgium,
Brazil, Denmark, Please send your check to:
Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Russia,
Nancy McGee
Slovakia, Sweden,
208 Crosbytown Rd.
Ukraine, United Kingdom and USA.
Quitman, GA 31643-5795
If you have any questions, please feel free to email me.

Sincerely,
Becky Iddings
Important Notice for
Administrative Support Associate
Customers Ordering
OptiGen, LLC
Cornell Business & Technology Park DNA Based Tests !!!
767 Warren Road, Suite 300
Ithaca, NY 14850
The FTA cards which are used to collect the DNA sam-
phone: 607-257-0301 ples for laboratory processing are currently out of stock
fax: 607-257-0353 and back ordered. The manufacturer is unable to pro-
email: genetest@optigen.com
vide an estimated ship date. As a result, the OFA is tem-
web: www.optigen.com
porarily suspending accepting any new orders. As soon
as we get a firm ship date, we will post the information
and resume order processing. Orders already accepted
and in the queue will be processed as soon we receive
the FTA cards. We appreciate your patience during this
delay.

The Poodle Papers

 Page 37

The Poodle Papers

 Page 38

cont. on page 39
The Poodle Papers
 Page 39
cont. from page 38
Submitted by Tom Carneal
American Kennel Club
News Article
AKC® Announces Enhancement to
Full Litter Registration Process
Date of Article: November 17, 2009
The American Kennel Club® is pleased to announce the en-
hancement of its Full Litter registration option which allows
breeders to register all puppies in a litter to themselves for
a reduced fee. For no additional fee, AKC will now allow
breeders to assign the limited designation to a dog after reg-
istration through the first transfer. The dog must have been
first registered through the Full Litter Registration process.
All breeders of the dog have to agree to add the limited des-
ignation.
“By utilizing Full Litter Registration, breeders are not only
getting the best value for themselves, they are contributing
to the long term well being of the American Kennel Club
by registering all the puppies in their litter,” said AKC Vice
President of Registration David W. Roberts. “In addition,
new puppy owners will know they are bringing home an
AKC registered puppy.”
Breeders can also request limited registration when the ini-
tial application for registration is submitted. As an additional
enhancement these new transfers will receive a complimen-
tary 60-day trial of the AKC Pet Healthcare Plan if not pre-
The Poodle Papers
viously activated for the dog. The trial plan offers coverage
for unexpected accidents or illnesses up to $1,500 ($500 per
incident).
Breeders who register a litter using Full Litter Registration
between now and December 31, 2009, will also receive a
special $20 pedigree discount coupon to apply towards their
next purchase of an AKC-Certified pedigree. The coupon
will be sent to breeders after the completion of their Full
Litter Registration.
AKC first implemented the Full Litter Registration option
in 2006 at the request of AKC breeders who wanted the op-
tion to register a litter and all its puppies in one easy step.
This benefits breeders by eliminating the individual litter
puppy fee, reducing puppy registration fees and providing
discounted pedigrees for each puppy in the litter. Full Litter
Registration also offers breeders a 35 percent discount on
registration fees (based on litter of five puppies); a stream-
lined process to complete the entire registration; and the
ability to select each puppy’s name, ensuring kennel names
are used correctly.
The Full Litter Application and the Application to Designate
Limited Status can be found at the following links:
AKC Full Litter Registration Application
Application to Designate Limited Status
For more information please contact AKC Customer Service
at info@akc.org or 919-233-9767.
 Page 40
“All PCA Foundation Seminar videos are now available on DVD. To give you a better idea
of the wealth of knowledge and wisdom offered by these seminars, the PCA Foundation will
be publishing some program highlights in the Poodle Papers. The Fall issue will feature
POODLE TEMPERAMENT, the panel discussion on improving temperament through our
breeding programs. Panelists included respected breeders Joan Scott, Pat Deshler and Glenna
Carlson, with Del Dahl serving as narrator.”
1. FROM THE WHELPING BOX TO THE SHOW RING
A panel of three breeders discuss their methods in preparing a Poodle puppy for the show ring. Panelists Mrs. Arlene
Scardo, Miss Betsey Leedy, and Mrs. Kadelia Hamilton. Panel is moderated by Mrs Debby Cozart. $20.00

4. 1990 DOG JUDGES ASSOC. PRESENTATION ON THE POODLE: An exciting presentation on the Poodle from the
judges perspective. Presented by Mr. Frank Sabella and Mr. & Mrs James Clark. $20.00

5. 1990 DR. ELAINE ROBINSON on PINPOINTING OVULATION: This video tape will be exceptionally valuable
tool in any serious breeding program. $20.00

6. POODLE TEMPERMENT PANEL: A discussion on improving Poodle temperament. Panelists include John Fowler,
Mrs. Joan Scott, Mrs. Pat Deshler, Mrs. Glena Carlson. Narrated by Del Dahl $20.00

8. THE POODLE POSITIVE: A Judge’s Workshop with Mr. & Mrs. James Clark. You do not have to be a judge or
aspire to be one to gain a lot from this tape. $20.00

10. PROGRESSIVE RETINAL ATROPHY:

Dr. Gustavo Aquirre discussed PRA in Poodles $20.00

12. BREEDING A GREAT POODLE (TWO TAPES)

Dr. George Padgett speaks on Poodle traits; comparing inbreeding to out crossing and line breeding; risk factors in pick-
ing up faults; calculating good and bad genes; helping each other with our breed. $35.00

13. POODLE TYPE: Dr. Jacklyn Hungerland and Mrs. James Clark discuss what makes a Poodle. $15.00

14. ASPECTS OF REPRODUCTION: Dr. Edward Feldman discusses reproduction and the Poodle $15.00

16. HEREDITARY DISEASES IN POODLES : Dr. Fran Smith speaks on hereditary diseases in all Varieties. A breed-
ers guide to genetic diseases. $15.00

17. ORTHOPEDIC PROBLEMS IN POODLES: Dr. E.A. Corley, discusses orthopedic problems in hips,stifles and el-
bows as they relate to all varieties of Poodles. $15.00

21. CANINE MALE REPRODUCTION: Dr. Autumn Davidson discusses reproduction semen collection and managing
the high risk delivery. $15.00

22.SUCCESSFULLY BREEDING THE INFERTILE BITCH

Dr. E. Robinson discusses breeding the infertile bitch. $15.00

24. 1998 SEMINAR -- GENETIC DISEASE ANALYSIS

Jerold Bell discusses genetic disease analysis. $15.00

27. 2001 “ BREEDING STRATEGIES”

Dr. John Armstrong and Dr. George Padgett discuss “Type” casting, establishing a line, role of DNA mapping in making
breeding decisions. $20.00
cont. on page 41
The Poodle Papers
 Page 41
cont. from page 40

28. 2002 PCAF SEMINAR -- WHICH PUPPY TO KEEP

Mrs. Pat Hastings leads us in an interactive seminar in solving the puzzle of “Which Puppy to Keep” $20.00

29. 2002-UPDATE ON SKIN & COAT OF THE POODLE

Dr. Robert Dunsten, Texas A & M, Presents a prelude to a new study of Sebaceous Andenitis in Poodles $20.00

30. 2003 PCAF SEM. “RAISING THE SHOW PUPPY”

Mrs James Edward Clark leads a panel of prominent Poodle Breeders who express their views on
“The Successful Raising of a Show Puppy” $20.00

31. 2004 “ GENETICS FOR POODLE BREEDERS” Dr.Jerold Bell discusses how breeders
should use the advances in dog genome research in making breeding decisions. $20.00

32. 2005 “ANNE CLARK on POODLE PEDIGREES”

Mrs. Edward Clark discusses various aspects of Poodles and their pedigrees. $22.00

33. 2006 “POODLE DISEASE UPDATES”

Dr. Thomas Graves discusses the research, testing, treatment & management of key genetic diseases. $22.00

(Please circle the tapes desired) 1 4 6 8 10 12 13 14 16 17 21 22 23 24 27 28 29 30 31 32 33

TOTAL AMOUNT DUE WITH ORDER: $ ____________

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The Poodle Papers

 Page 42
In Memoriam
Donna Ryan Sattler
Poodle Artist
The Mardi Gras Poodle Poster Artist of PCA 1995 Regional
in Baton Rouge, La.
Poodles Plus Booth Artist and Friend
Donna Ryan Sattler of Nashville Indiana died 6-27-09 of
ovarian cancer at age 44.
Leaving a loving husband and seven children and one grand-
son, her parents and three sisters and one brother many niec-
es and nephews and a community of friends.
She loved to attend The Poodle National and meet all of
the Poodle World in The Poodle Plus Booth and painted
everyone’s poodle on clothing. There are lots of jackets,
shirts, ties and purses with her autograph art work . She
would always say “ENJOY IT”
Enjoy her Art work as much as she enjoyed doing it. She
also had a Standard Poodle who was the Herding Poodle for
her kid’s 4-H Sheep however, he slept at the end of her bed
at night. .
Memorial contributions maybe be made to the Brown County
4-H Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 7, Nashville, Indiana 47448
in the memory of Donna Ryan Sattler. .She was a believer
in keeping children busy with animals of all kinds and was a
4-H leader for years.
Submitted by Nancy Hafner
Linda Ingram
Willamarais
The Poodle Papers
Deborah Mackay Murray
Glory
Debbie left us on September 7, 2009, less than one
month after being diagnosed with leukemia. She had been
a vibrant participant in the dog show sport since her child-
hood, as her mother, Gloria Mackay, was a well known Stan-
dard Poodle breeder, with the prefix ‘Glory’.
My husband (Bob) and I were new Poodle owners in
the 60s and gradually became aware of this mother-daugh-
ter team at the shows. After we moved from Miniatures to
Standards, a friendship developed. Memories of events and
laughter at the long ago PCA Regionals in Oklahoma and
Dallas and Olympia come to mind.
Away from dog shows, she and her husband, John,
were welcoming hosts. She was an excellent cook and an
equally excellent seamstress who made many of her dog
show clothes (they had pockets where she wanted them!).
Attendees of many Poodle Club of Central California match-
es have fond memories of the meltingly good brisket with
‘Broncbuster Bar B Q sauce that Debbie prepared.
Debbie knew Poodles! She knew pedigrees, she
knew structure, she knew grooming. She had a good eye for
a dog, and was realistic in her evaluation of dogs - her own
or others. And she was generous about sharing her knowl-
edge and experience with other exhibitors, as expressed by
friends (below).
After her mother’s death, Debbie moved from Stan-
dards to Toys, and teamed up with Martin Gregory to breed
many beautiful Toy Poodles. She was an efficient manager
- for entries, schedules, grooming spaces, etc, and used all
of her skills effectively with Martin. They were a team we
enjoyed seeing at shows.
Because her illness and passing were so sudden,
those who knew her have been devastated. I issued an open
invitation for ‘Poodle People’ in our San Francisco Bay Area
to also share some remembrances . Sally Vilas
Jeanne Prouty: Some thoughts about Deb Murray and her
mother, Gloria Mackay. I first met them in 1969 when my
first Standard Poodle died at age 10 and I needed another
one immediately!
Into our home came Glory A Go Go and many more years of
good times, dog shows, membership in PCCC, Persian Cats,
cat shows and lasting friendships.
Because of Deb I now have a wonderful Toy Poodle.
Thank you Deb.
Cont. on page 43
 Page 43
cont. from page 42
Kathy Poe: Memories --- it is so hard to think of memo-
ries of Debbie because it is so painful.
Memories of Debbie also bring back memories of
Gloria. Gloria, Debbie and I came on the poodle scene about
the same time. One of my early memories of Debbie and
Gloria is meeting them on the way to dog shows. They were
driving their old green Land Rover like they were at the Indy
500. My Mother and I were driving our old brown station
wagon, ‘The Brown Bomber’. Down the road we went - the
only thing on our minds was getting to the dog shows.
Memories of the Oklahoma PCA Regional, with
Gloria , Debbie & Jeanne Prouty:
After a long flight to Oklahoma, we went to the van rental
place only to find that the van Gloria had rented was not
working. The guys wanted to rent us a big moving van with
a hydraulic lift. Picture four women and a couple of dogs
in a van big enough to hold a house full of furniture driving
into a dog show.
We settled on a small moving van, with front seat only. Deb-
bie & I were elected to do the driving; Gloria called us Mario
Murray and Parnelli Poe, and we had those two best seats
because we could see the countryside. Gloria and Jeanne,
in the back, had no windows and no lights; all they saw in
Oklahoma was the dog show and the Holiday Inn.
Recent memories of Debbie are from the last time
we were in New York for Westminster. The first thing that
Debbie, Denise Wilson and I wanted was to go to La Mai-
son Du Chocolate, a very very good chocolate shop. it was
definitely three kids in a candy store, and after we bought
more chocolate than any of needed, we went to FAO Swartz.
Debbie was an avid doll collector and she really looked for-
ward to seeing the doll collection there. We had a great day
in New York, just hanging out together - three ‘girls’ in New
York.
The night before we were due to leave New York,
Debbie and i decided to go down to the bar and get ‘A’ Cos-
mo. We had so much fun, just talking. At that moment in
time we were two friends, sisters, soul mates, enjoying life,
enjoying the moment. It was great.
Just the other day, my brother told my sister, upon
hearing of Debbie’s passing, that he had had a crush on Deb-
bie many many years ago. For some reason I can’t get that
out of my mind. It seems to bring home how young we were
and how much time we spent together. And yet, had no idea
the effect we had on each other’s life. Now time has passed.
Debbie is gone and I only wish I could tell Debbie what my
brother said.
Anita Antink: I first remember meeting Debbie Murray the
day I took my Afghan puppy to an All-breed show at Peacock
Gap Country Club in Marin. It was our first AKC show, and
I was totally unprepared. Debbie’s mother, Gloria, offered
me a space in her shade. I was really thankful for her kind-
The Poodle Papers
ness in giving us shade that hot afternoon, and a table to use.
Later, I worked for Gloria and Debbie as a groomer.
Debbie came from a long line of strong women.
When I first worked with her, her great grandmother, who
she called Grandma was still alive. Her grandmother Rena
owned a resort in the Delta, and her mother Gloria was a sin-
gle mother with three children. Gloria owned and operated a
kennel and grooming shop in Concord, while also establish-
ing herself in Standard Poodles. In all the years I knew them,
Gloria was the most flamboyant. She was lively and funny
and good company for all. Debbie was very bright, but more
reserved, and always honest. She was Gloria’s faithful right
hand. She accompanied her mother to all the shows and
set up and took down the equipment. She spent long hours
grooming the Standards and always appeared so graceful do-
ing so. In addition, she handled the dogs when needed and
did a fine job. Those who show Standard Poodles know the
hard work that goes into keeping their coats. Behind the
scenes, it was Debbie who bathed and brushed dry all of the
dogs in coat every week without fail. When they had a dog
who won the variety, Debbie would often give it a fresh bath
and dry before the Group judging.
Debbie didn’t seek the limelight, but it was her hard
work and dedication that made it possible for her Mother
to glow. Each of these women left us too soon, each one
younger than the last. I can’t believe she is gone.
Janet Collins:
Debbie: Fond memories of....making it possible, by doing
all the difficult grooming work, for me to personally show
and finish “Cash”; ... squiring me around on my first Lud-
wig’s Corner PCA trip;....routinely coming over to look at
and help evaluate baby puppies and for always being there to
lend a helping hand. Many memories, many thanks.
Stephanie Gomez: Debbie Murray and her mom, Gloria
MacKay were the first two “Poodle People” Janet Collins in-
troduced me to when I stepped onto the grounds at the Santa
Rosa fairgrounds in 1992 to show my first Poodle, ‘Touche’.
Two of the nicest people I have ever had the pleasure to
know. Through the years, Debbie always had a sweet hello
for me; always asking how I did at my last obedience trial
and true heart-felt praise for me and my dog’s accomplish-
ments. I shall always remember her with her apron on under
the canopy, grooming away on the next poodle to show. I
will miss her - how lucky I am that she passed through my
life.
Peggy McDill: Debbie was welcoming and kind when Bob
and I bred our first litter. We bred to a son of Ch Glory Great
Scott, who Debbie finished from the BBE class. I still do
topknots in the “Debbie” way.
cont. on page 44
 Page 44
cont. from page 43
From the adventures of the cute Vizsla puppy who grew into
Michelle Shultz: Some of the things I most remember
a 24-foot dog in Norman Bridwell’s children’s book series
about Debbie:
Clifford the Big Red Dog to Odysseus’ faithful dog in Hom-
Debbie always took an interest in helping me to be
er’s Odyssey, young and old alike love to dive into stories
a better groomer and also a better handler. I think she must
about dogs. But which canine dog story ranks the highest?
have loved the challenge but I also think she helped because
she was generous with her time and knowledge and it was
In celebration of its 125 Anniversary, the American Kennel
one of the ways she gave back. Forefront in my memories
Club and AOL’s PawNation.com ask America to weigh in
of her are the many times I would have a standard prepared
on their favorite dog stories. The nominees for most famous
to go into the ring, I would walk by her in the setup or at
dogs of literature are:
ringside and she would always say “That’s good, come here
let me show you something.” She would always do a little
Clifford The Big Red Dog – The tiny Vizsla puppy who
something to a topknot, silhouette, spray up, pattern. She
grew to 25 feet in the children’s book series written by Nor-
would always explain what it did and it was always better.
man Bridwell.
I am so thankful that she took interest in me and will miss
Spot – The black and white Cocker Spaniel pet featured in
hearing “come here I want to show you something”.
the Fun with Dick and Jane book series created to teach chil-
Debbie was funny and had a good sense of humor.
dren how to read.
We all know she was a serious competitor and very focused
Old Yeller – The fictional story, based on the novel by Fred
at the shows. Back at the setup of SCVKC one year she was
Gipson, of a Mountain Cur dog. The book was adapted in
grooming toys in the center of a large communal grooming
1957 into a Disney movie.
area out under a big pavilion. I was set up next to her and we
Marley & Me – The New York Times bestselling autobio-
were all going about our business. I hear her yell at someone
graphical book by journalist John Grogan that portrays Gro-
across the way “Allen”! and think nothing of it. I hear her
gan and his family’s life during the 13 years that they lived
yell again, but louder this time “Allen”. Now I’m looking
with their rambunctious Labrador Retriever Marley, and the
around and trying to see who she is starting to get irritated
relationships and lessons from this period.
with. In the direction she is yelling stand my husband Steve
My Dog Skip - An autobiographical book by Willie Morris
and Tim Brazier talking about who knows what and some
that tells the tale of a boy and his Parson Russell Terrier dog
other people in the general area. Now Debbie is really angry
in a small southern town that teaches about family, friend-
and her face is getting red and she yells again for Allen. I
ship, love, devotion and bravery.
think, oh, poor guy is really going to get it now. I risk it
Big Red – The story, based on the novel by Jim Kjelgaard, of
and ask, Debbie, who is it you are calling? She says that
an Irish Setter who would rather run through the woods than
husband of yours and he is ignoring me and looking right at
be the perfectly-trained and groomed show dog his sports-
me. I said my husband Allen? She burst out laughing and
man owner wants and the ten-year-old orphan boy who cares
said, oh I mean Steve. Then she yelled for him which got the
for and helps Big Red rebel against his owner’s strict disci-
correct response as she needed help holding a dog or moving
pline.
something. For a long time after that she would call and ask
Argos – The faithful dog of Odysseus in Homer’s Odyssey.
how is “what’s his name” or call him by whatever name she
Cujo – The Saint Bernard in the horror novel by Stephen
chose when she would see him. Anyone who could laugh at
King.
herself at a dog show is my kind of friend!
White Fang – The main character in Jack London’s book of
the same name. White Fang is the story of a wild Wolfdog’s
journey toward becoming civilized in Yukon Territory, Can-
ada, during the Klondike Gold Rush at the end of the 19th
American Kennel Club century.
Which dog in literature will be victorious? Visit
News Article http://www.pawnation.com/category/akc-top-125-dogs to
cast your vote and make your “bark” heard.
Dogs Who Rule the Literary World
Date of Article: November 17, 2009

-- American Kennel Club® & AOL’S PawNation.com

Asks Dog Lovers to Cast Their Vote Now For the Top Dog
Story --
The Poodle Papers
 Page 45

The Poodle Papers

 Page 46
A.K.C. Delegates Corner
Poodle Club of America Delegate
Report - September 2009
The September 15, 2009 Delegate meeting was held in New-
ark, New Jersey. Unfortunately, due to having an accident
on the way to the meeting (fortunately not car but physical)
I missed the first day of committee meetings because I was
in the emergency room. But after checking with other Del-
egates at the Parent Club Committee I perceived that most
of the discussion pertained to the Realignment of the groups
and the presentation on the current proposal on the potential
new Grand Championship title.
Thanks to Daniel Augustus taking off work I made it to
the actual Delegate Meeting on ‘Tuesday. (The emergency
room visit relayed broken bones in my shoulder, a torn ro-
tor cuff and cracked hip, needless to say I could not drive).
I made the effort to get to the meeting because there was
supposed to be a final vote on the group Realignment. The
Board of the Poodle Club of America had instructed me to
vote against the realignment. Also, September is the month
the Delegate Standing Committee elections are held and I
needed to vote.
At the Delegates Forum there was a presentation of the pro-
posed Grand Championship title, presented by Alan Kalter,
AKC Board Member; Darrell Hayes, Vice President of Dog
Show judges; Robin Stansell, Vice President of Event Op-
erations; and John Wade, Director of Judging operation.
After months of discussion, panel presentations, numerous
mailings pertaining to the why and wherefores of proceed-
ing with the Realignment Committee’s proposal, the Del-
egates referred the rule changes necessary for the proposed
realignment of the Groups back to the AKC Board. This
was because, besides the rising dissension among Delegates,
there were several Parent Clubs who had changed or did not
want specific group placements. We were informed that
it would come back to the Delegate body for a vote at the
March, 2010 meeting. (Since then, the AKC Board of Di-
rectors at their November 9th and 10th , 2009 meeting; as
recommended by the Realignment Committee, voted that
when the Group Realignment proposal is brought back to
the Delegates for a vote in March, 2010, it will recommend
that it be postponed indefinitely.) From information I have
garnered, in my opinion, this does not mean this issue has
gone away. The Realignment issue will continue to be fine
tuned. (i.e. breed placements and varieties will be investi-
gated, the possibility of achieving the proposal one group at
a time, just waiting to a later time when it becomes more of
The Poodle Papers
a necessity, and when it is more fiscally responsible for both
show giving clubs and the AKC.)
There was another vote taken that can effect the Poodle Club
of America and its affiliate clubs. The Delegate body voted
to change Chapter 3, Section 5, of the Rules Applying to
Dog Shows. It was amended to permit the optional division
of the 12-18 Month Class, effective July1, 2010. The change
is, Clubs may further divide the Twelve-to-Eighteen Month
Class into two age groups consisting of twelve months of
age and under fifteen months, and fifteen months of age but
under eighteen months. The decision to use the option is up
to the individual clubs.
When the rest of the business was dealt with the first read-
ing of the Grand Championship proposal was…Read on pro-
posed amendment to Chapter 3, Sections 1 and 15, of Rules
Applying to Dog Shows - Dog Show Classification which
would allow for awarding Grand Championship points to
Best of Breed or Best of variety of Breed, Best of Opposite
Sex to Best of Breed or Best of Variety of Breed, Select Dog,
and Select Bitch, and to chapter 16, Sections 1-7 of Rules
Applying to Dog Shows - Championship and (a new) Grand
Championship Awards which would allow for the creation
of awards for the above listed titles. This will be voted on by
the Delegate body at the December meeting in Long Beach,
CA. I have included some information given to me as the
Delegate pertaining to this issue.
There are things to consider. The name Grand Champion
envisions a dog with a title meaning more then champion
but, it is my understanding that this can actually be accom-
plished without winning over another specials (especially in
breeds with low entries). Wouldn’t something like Cham-
pion Select be a better option? Also, since class dogs are
not eligible for Grand Champion points will judges then be
discouraged to not put up class dogs for a breed or variety.
The whole point of this change is to encourage people who
would like to continue showing a specials animal but don’t
because there is already a predominant winner currently be-
ing exhibited. I already have received suggestions requiring
CHIC numbers, and there were delegates who felt at least a
CGC should be required. After reading the information sent
to me, if you have any other thoughts on this issue please
feel free to send me comments.
Mary Ellen Fishler
Delegate to American Kennel Club
Poodle Club of America
megcamelot@aol.com
 Page 47
Grand Champion
Highlights
· All Champions of record that are eligible to be entered
in Best of Breed competition, are automatically entered in
competition for points toward the “Grand Champion” title
when they are entered in the Best of Breed class at a dog
show. There are no additional entry fees or cost to exhibitors
for participation in this competition at AKC events.
· Dogs and bitches that have earned their Championship and
are moved up to the Best of Breed class would be eligible to
compete on the day.
· All eligible exhibits entered in the Best of Breed class will
compete and judging will be concurrent with traditional Best
of Breed judging.
· Best of Breed, Best of Opposite Sex, Select Dog and Select
Bitch can earn “Grand Champion” points at AKC All Breed,
Limited Breed or Specialty events.
· The judge will award Best of Breed, Best of Winners, Best
of Opposite Sex, Select Dog and Select Bitch. Judges may
withhold any awards at their discretion.
· For eligible Champions, the Best of Breed (BOB), Best
of Opposite Sex (BOS), Select Dog (SD) and Select Bitch
(SB) winners can acquire points toward the “Grand Champi-
on” title. A maximum of four dogs may be awarded “Grand
Championship” points.
· Best of Breed winner will receive the highest number of
“Grand Champion” points available regardless of sex. Best
of Breed “Grand Champion” points are based on the total
number of dogs and bitches competing in the breed or vari-
ety using the point schedule for the individual dog’s sex.
· Best of Opposite Sex winner will receive Grand Champi-
onship points based on the total number of dogs defeated of
the same sex. The Select Dog and Select Bitch will receive
points based on the total numbers of dogs defeated of the
same sex. Best of Breed or the Best of Opposite Sex will not
be included in this computation.
· Best of Opposite Sex point computations may be equal to
the Best of Breed winner but in no case will they exceed
“Grand Championship” points awarded to Best of Breed.
· Best of Breed winner will receive the highest number of
“Grand Champion” points available regardless of sex. Best
of Breed “Grand Champion” points are based on the total
number of dogs and bitches competing in the breed or vari-
ety using the point schedule for the individual dog’s sex.
The Poodle Papers
· Best of Opposite Sex winner will receive Grand Champi-
onship points based on the total number of dogs defeated of
the same sex. The Select Dog and Select Bitch will receive
points based on the total numbers of dogs defeated of the
same sex. Best of Breed or the Best of Opposite Sex will not
be included in this computation.
· The existing schedule of points and divisions will be used
to calculate “Grand Champion” points. “Grand Champion-
ship” points will be awarded based on the number of eligible
entries exhibited. All class exhibits and champions in breed
or variety competition present will be counted to compute
“Grand Champion” points.
· “Grand Championship” entries will not affect the annual
computation schedule of points assigned to each Points Di-
vision.
· The existing schedule of points and divisions will be used
to calculate “Grand Champion” points. “Grand Champion-
ship” points will be awarded based on the number of eligible
entries exhibited. All class exhibits and champions in breed
or variety competition present will be counted to compute
“Grand Champion” points.
· “Grand Championship” entries will not affect the annual
computation schedule of points assigned to each Points Di-
vision.
· Once an eligible dog or bitch has accumulated 25 “Grand
Champion” points with three majors under three different
judges and at least one point under a fourth judge, it may
be designated “Grand Champion” and receive an AKC en-
hanced certificate indicating they have completed the neces-
sary requirements for the title.
· “Grand Champion” title holders will continue to accumu-
late points towards a future “Grand Champion point system
after completion of title (Top 25, 50 or 100 by Breed, and
Group).
· Any dog who completes its Grand Champion title will re-
ceive an invitation to the AKC/Eukanuba National Champi-
onship.
· Winners Dog, Winners Bitch, Best of Winners, or non-reg-
ular class winners, are not eligible to compete for “Grand
Champion” points.
· There will be no “Grand Champion” points awarded when
all competing Champions of Record or move-up dogs are
defeated by a class dog or bitch receiving the Best of Breed
award.
cont. on page 48
 Page 48
cot. from page 47
· If the Best of Opposite Sex winner is the Winners Dog or
The Winners Bitch, neither the Best of Opposite Sex nor the
Select award for that sex will be eligible for “Grand Cham-
pion” awards.
· Any exhibits found to be ineligible for “Grand Champion”
points would have those points disallowed administratively
by the AKC. If Best of Breed is found to be ineligible, all
Grand Champion points awarded will be administratively
disallowed for Best of Opposite Sex, Select Dog and Select
Bitch.
Grand Champion Question
& Answers (Q&A)
Q) What is a Grand Champion?
A) A Grand Champion is a champion of record that has com-
pleted the 25 points required beyond the traditional require-
ments for a Championship and focuses on competition at the
breed level.
Q) What dogs are eligible to be awarded Grand Champion-
ship points?
A) All Champions of record that are eligible to be entered
in Best of Breed/Variety competition as well as dogs and
bitches that have earned their Championship and are moved
up, would be eligible to compete on the day.
Q) How many dogs are eligible to be awarded “Grand Cham-
pionship” points?
A) A maximum of four including, Best of Breed, Best of Op-
posite Sex, Select Dog and Select Bitch.
Q) Is a separate entry form and entry fee required for Grand
Championship competition?
A) No, all eligible dogs entered as well as those moved up to
the Best of Breed/Variety class are automatically eligible to
compete without additional fees.
Q) When will judging of the Grand Championship class take
place?
A) Since the Grand Championship is not a separate class,
judging is concurrent with the traditional Best of Breed/Va-
riety judging. Judges will award Best of Breed/Variety,Best
of Winners, Best of Opposite Sex as well as Select Dog and
Select Bitch.
Q) What are Select Dog and Select Bitch and how and what
are they awarded?
A) The Select Dog and Select Bitch are similar to Awards
of Merit in that this dog and bitch are next best as far as the
The Poodle Papers
quality of the dogs in competition. These awards are selected
after Best of Breed/Variety and Best of Opposite Sex. How-
ever the Select Dog and Select Bitch are eligible for Grand
Championship points.
Q) Grand Champion points, what are they and how are they
determined?
A) Grand Championship points are similar to the current
points awarded, however they can only be won by dogs &
bitches that are eligible to be entered in the Best of Breed/
Variety class and are based on the existing schedule of points
and divisions. All of the class entries, champions, move ups
in breed/variety competition present will be counted to com-
pute Grand Championship points.
Q) Last week in Region 2 there were 28 Doberman entered,
7-11-(3-7) and my specials bitch won Best of Breed, how
many Grand Championship points would she have been
awarded?
A) She would have been awarded 5 points as all of the Dober-
mans (28) in competition would have counted as the same
sex and in Region 2, 26 bitch’s results in a 5 point major.
Q) My specials bitch is already a Champion of record. What
does winning a 5 point major mean?
A) It means she has started on the path to becoming a Grand
Champion as she will need to have three majors under three
different judges, with at least one point under a fourth judge
and a total of 25 points to become a “Grand Champion” of
record.
Q) How will I know when she becomes a “Grand Cham-
pion?”
A) The American Kennel Club will send you an enhanced
“Grand Champion” Certificate when all requirements have
been completed.
Q) Can my specials Doberman bitch continue to compete
when she becomes a Grand Champion?
A) Yes, she can continue to compete.
Q) If a class dog/bitch wins Best of Breed/Variety will they
be awarded Grand Championship points?
A) No, class dogs/ bitches as well as winners of non-regular
competitive classes are not eligible for Grand Championship
points. If the Best of Breed/Variety winner is a class dog/
bitch or from a non-regular class there are no Grand Cham-
pionship points awarded for the breed/variety that day.
Q) If a class dog/bitch or non-regular class winner is award-
ed Best of Opposite Sex over eligible dogs in the Best of
Breed/Variety class will they be awarded
cont. on page 49
 Page 49
cont. from page 48 extension of the traditional system to earn an AKC Champi-
onship title on a dog. It is simple, similar in format to that
Grand Champion points?
used to finish a dog, and, because it focuses exclusively on
A) No, as in the previous question they are not eligible for
competition at the breed level, it will add minimal time to the
Grand Champion points, however the Best of Breed/Variety
current judging process.
winner and the Select winner of the same sex are eligible
for Grand Champion points.
While the “Grand Champion” concept does require a rule
change, it would add a new dimension that offers exhibitors
enhanced participation for an additional conformation venue
EXAMPLE OF AWARDING GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP
to compete in at this time. The “Grand Champion” title bar
POINTS
is set higher, but not out of reach for the average exhibitor to
Show in Region 2 Breed: Dobermans Entry: 7-11-(3-7)
obtain in a reasonable time period. This concept provides the
Best of Breed, the Best of Opposite Sex and Select Winners
BOB: Bitch Special 5 points, defeated all Dobermans in
the ability to accumulate “Grand Champion” points.
competition, total of 28.
BOW: Not Eligible
All Breed, Limited Breed, and Specialty Clubs, Superinten-
BOS: Dog Special 3 points, defeated all Doberman dogs
dents and AKC will realize additional revenues due to the
competing, total of 10.
increase in entries while exhibitors participate with one en-
try fee for both Best of Breed and “Grand Champion” title
Select Dog: Dog Special 2 points, defeated 9 Doberman
competitions. This concept should not only provide revenue
dogs.
increases, but insert new excitement and quality of achieve-
Select Bitch: Bitch Special 3 points, defeated 17 Doberman
ment. The fancy will be able to participate in a new venue
bitches.
with realistic expectations that are obtainable.
POINT SCHEDULE
1 Point 2 Points 3 Points 4 Points 5 Points In summary, the Grand Champion Program’s attributes in-
Dogs 2 6 10 14 24 clude:
Bitches 2 10 17 20 26
o Keeping people competing beyond the championship level
Grand Champion Title Concept and recognizing dogs of quality in breed competition

Dear Delegate, o An opportunity for additional recognition without having

The Grand Champion Title Procedure will be presented at
the Delegate Parent Club Committee Meeting, the Delegate
Dog Show Rules Committee Meeting, and the All Breed
Delegate Committee meeting on Monday, September 14,
2009. In addition, the concept will be presented at the Del-
egates’ Forum on Tuesday, September 15, 2009.
to campaign and advertise heavily
o Keeping the people coming back to shows to enjoy the
sport and people in it and the camaraderie offered
o Increasing the emphasis of the breed – it highlights breed
competition

The Grand Champion title concept is an effort to provide o Increasing entries for clubs
our exhibitors with an additional venue to participate in with
dogs that have obtained their Championships while assisting
AKC Clubs with increasing their entries. It will continue
ARTHUR RUBINSTEIN:
exhibitor participation and camaraderie in our sport while
emphasizing breed judging by recognizing quality and breed
type. Love life and life will love you
The development of a “Grand Champion” concept is consis- back. Love people and they will
tent with the ongoing objective to encourage the exhibition
and, ultimately, the breeding and registration of purebred
love you back.
dogs. It is also consistent with the structure of exhibition at
other livestock events.

This Grand Champion concept proposal parallels and is an

The Poodle Papers
 Page 50
New Hope for SA Poodles
Sebaceous Adenitis may be the cruelest of all diseases to
plague Poodles, as it robs this elegant breed of its distinctive
and luxuriously thick, curly coat. As breeder and PCA mem-
ber Sheree Melancon points out, “What is a Poodle without
hair?”
SA was Sheree’s worst fear, a fear she was forced to face
with her very first litter. She had her promising black puppy
Fah So groomed for PCA in 2005, which left him with an in-
flamed face and swollen eyes that lasted for the whole week.
Being at PCA gave Sheree the best opportunity to talk to
others about testing breeding stock in general and SA in par-
ticular, as she started to suspect that her boy had SA and not
an allergic reaction as her regular vet thought.
What Sheree admittedly knew about SA back then was very
little, and she was not well-informed about testing. She test-
ed the dam and sire of this litter for hips and eyes, which she
had thought were the most important problems in Poodles.
She waited until the dam was 3 years old and the sire was 4,
thinking that SA would appear by then.
“What I had heard was that SA wasn’t as bad as it used to
be,” Sheree says. She heard conflicting things about the test.
“When you asked people about testing for SA, they were
reluctant to do it because they felt that it was not an adequate
test. Most of the time, the comment was that they didn’t have
a problem with SA.”
Sheree feels lucky that she made friends and found mentors
at that PCA. She took their recommendation of having the
sire and dam biopsied for SA; both tested clear for SA. From
the test results, she would have bred them anyway. There
were no red flags to warn her.
Fah So was 10-11 months old when he starting showing
symptoms of SA. Of the whole litter, Fah So was the only
one to fight being clipped, and he hated having the dryer
on his face and feet. Such sensitivity is typical of SA dogs.
A few months before PCA, the puppy counter-surfed and
gobbled up 80 tablets of Sheree’s fragrant Armour Thyroid.
She rushed him to the vet, who pumped his stomach and ran
thyroid tests. No ill effects were found.
Several weeks later, Fah So’s handler noticed a couple of
sores on his skin along with matting, which may have been
coat change. He kept having ear problems, from which many
SA dogs suffer. Then, at PCA, his facial skin and eyes were
extremely inflamed.
Back home in Houston, dry skin appeared on his face in
The Poodle Papers
spots, and soon there was flakiness on his face and feet. An
eye specialist found his eyes to be fine but noted that what-
ever his skin problem was, it was severely acute. The regular
vet insisted that it was not SA and prescribed Prednisone,
which cleared up the ears but did nothing to relieve the flaki-
ness and itching.
Sheree spent hours on the computer, going through the OFA
website. That July 4th weekend, she looked at his pedigree
online but did not find any affected dog close to him, only
half-sires and half-dams generations back. Still, she cried the
whole time. As she explains, “I cried because, in my gut, I
knew he had it.”
Up until the end of July, Fah So had severe flaking on his
skin but only some hair loss. His condition would deterio-
rate suddenly and dramatically after a routine bath left him
with bald spots down to the skin on his chest, back, and ears.
Handfuls of hair had fallen out in clumps. “The sad thing
with Fah So was that he would appear to get better, then he
would have a break-out, and each time, it would be worse.
This is the lie SA does. He would grow some hair, and when
I would bathe him, it fell out in the tub. I cried every time it
happened,” Sheree remembers.
He was tested and diagnosed with SA by August. Heartbro-
ken, Sheree cried for three months. “You know that they are
never going to be okay,” she says.
Taking a bad situation and making it worse, traditional vet-
erinary medicine can not offer a successful cure or treatment
plan for SA, unless the dog develops a secondary skin infec-
tion, in which case antibiotics are prescribed. An unfortu-
nate number of vets have no working knowledge of SA; they
don’t even consider, much less recognize, SA when a Poodle
presents with chronic skin problems.
The expensive shampoos from the vet did not help. A skin
specialist prescribed a short duration of high doses of Vi-
tamin A orally and use of a propylene glycol spray. Sheree
liked the idea of propylene glycol, a ubiquitous ingredient
in moisturizers as it hydrates by attracting water molecules,
but was concerned with the impact of such high doses of
Vitamin A on Fah So’s liver. On her own, she had bloodwork
done, which showed that his liver levels were acceptable,
but on the high end of normal. She decided against the Vita-
min A protocol.
Because of the lack of veterinary protocols for SA, dog own-
ers have had to come up with their own out of sheer neces-
sity. Traditionally, the home treatment plan is the use of oil
baths, usually mineral oil, which Sheree found “horrific.”
cont. on page 51
 Page 51
cont. from page 50
As she describes it, oil was all over the place, and the dog
picked up dirt everywhere, a real problem for a dog with skin
problems. Getting the oil out of the coat was another quan-
dary. She soon concluded that oil baths were not compatible
with Fah So’s field training, since Sheree was adamant that
he “have a life.” Stopping these baths was not a difficult
decision to make; she did not find that these treatments were
all that helpful. She explained that the mineral oil molecule
is too large to easily penetrate the dog’s skin.
Sheree was haunted by the reports of severely affected dogs
whose exasperated owners had no other alternative than to
put them down. She was afraid that one day she, too, would
have to consider euthanasia as the only humane option if she
could not manage his condition and keep him comfortable.
Sheree was determined to find something to help her dog. A
groomer, who had a relative of Fah So and was unaware of
any SA in the background, advised Sheree to rinse him with
an apple cider vinegar dilution to alleviate the itching. From
past experience with show horses and cattle, Sheree knew
that apple cider vinegar cleaned the skin well and neutral-
ized the skin so that bacteria could not thrive.
Her research revealed that black people often have a tendency
to have weak sebaceous glands, so Sheree found beauticians
experienced with black hair to find out how they treated dry,
flaky skin. She started using several recommended products
but had the same problems of attracting dirt and oiliness get-
ting onto everything.
She knew that a successful treatment “needed to feed the
skin what it doesn’t have,” but serendipity would lead her to
that goal. As a licensed massage therapist, Sheree must con-
tinue her education annually for license renewal. She was
particularly interested in a course on essential oils, hoping
that it would help in the pain management of her newly-di-
agnosed fibromyalgia. She not only found relief from her
pain but also became excited about the possibility of using
essential oils to treat Fah So.
She struck gold with her second experiment, this time with a
lavender-based coconut oil, which has since been improved
to include other essential oils. Sheree mentions that before
penicillin, lavender was used widely and was a staple for
medics in World War I. She explains that although the seba-
ceous glands do not work properly in SA dogs and may have
even disappeared, the hair roots remain and need nourish-
ment, which the sebaceous glands would normally provide.
This coconut oil formulation is “bio-identical to what the
sebaceous gland produces.” The oil feeds the skin; the lav-
ender prevents infection and gives the skin the ability to fight
off staph, which is a difficulty with SA dogs.
The Poodle Papers
She was also looking for an unadulterated handmade soap
as a cleansing base to get Fah So clean. She started selling
goat’s milk soap, although she thinks that a handmade shea
butter soap would work fine as well. The soap cleansing was
followed by an apple cider vinegar rinse, then an application
of the essential oil blend.
No one who sees Fah So now would guess that he has SA.
I had been told about Fah So and made a point of being in-
troduced to Sheree at the hunt event at PCA in 2008. When
I told her I wanted to meet her SA dog, she gestured to the
jet-black dog at her side. His thick coat was cut down into
the sporting clip seen on most hunting Poodles. Surely she
misunderstood me. I asked again, with the same reply. Soon
I was petting him, with wonder at what I was seeing and
feeling. Within minutes, I had ordered her treatment kit and
dared to hope that it would be as successful for my girl, Ni-
kita.
For those who have not had a Poodle with SA, such feelings
must seem maudlin. SA is a deviously difficult disease, as it
follows a different course not just with each breed but with
each dog within a breed. Yet, if there is a constant about SA,
it’s that heart-broken dog owners are reduced to tears many,
many times.
I had taken Nikita to four different vets, looking for an ex-
planation of her hair loss, itching, and flaky skin. A cocker
spaniel breeder advised me to have her thyroid checked, but
two of the vets dismissed that idea, as she was neither over-
weight nor lethargic. (Since then, I have been enlightened by
Dr. Jean Dodds that, as the master gland, a malfunctioning
thyroid can produce dozens of symptoms besides those two.
Blood work would later reveal that Nikita did indeed have
hypothyroidism.)
It was a question posed by a Poodle groomer, breeder, and
handler that finally led me to the answer. Beth Paynter asked
me why I wasn’t bringing in Nikita for grooming, along with
our white boy whom she groomed regularly. As I explained
the miserable condition of her coat that now looked moth-
eaten, Beth’s face became more and more serious. She told
me that it sounded like SA and gave me the contact informa-
tion for the vet who performs the skin punches at the Watc-
hung Mountain Poodle Club health clinics. As Dr. Karen
Dashfield efficiently took the biopsy samples from Nikita’s
back and affected areas, I asked her if she thought it was
SA. She just looked at me. I knew then. And prayed she was
wrong.
A few years before Nikita’s diagnosis, I had met a Poodle
with SA through a chance meeting in another neighbor-
hood in my town. As I was walking out to my car to bring
in a sheet cake, I encountered a couple walking a dog whose
cont. on page 52
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cont. from page 51
breed I could not tell. At first glance, it almost looked like a
sighthound. There was something familiar about the dog that
made me ask the couple about its breed. As the dog shyly
came up to me, the woman told me that this was a Standard
Poodle with SA. I tried to say something encouraging and
petted the dog, which had the saddest eyes I had ever seen.
After the meeting, I rushed into the house to scrub my hands,
fervently hoping that I would never have to deal with SA.
While waiting for the report from Dr. Ann Hargis, I told
myself, over and over, that knowing what was wrong with
Nikita was better than not knowing, no matter what the di-
agnosis was. I lied. I was lunching at a lovely restaurant in
Manhattan, when my husband called to read me the report
that had just been faxed to our office. I heard the term “af-
fected” and burst out crying in that hushed room.
My own research about the disease was discouraging, but I
was helped tremendously by advice and support from Mar-
ion Banta, Kathryn Foran, Kathleen Reilly, and Gayle Rob-
erson. An all-breed groomer, Kathleen gave Nikita a new
hairstyle that looked more like a terrier clip than a Poodle’s,
but it looked good on her and helped camouflage her coat’s
shortcomings. I insisted that Nikita’s ears be kept as long as
possible, especially since her tail, which was the canine ver-
sion of a bad comb-over, had to be shaved. Losing her once
lush bottle-brush tail was very hard for me. Nikita’s nick-
name, Her Royal Curliness, now seemed like a cruel joke.
The cyclical nature of SA demands constant monitoring and
fine-tuning of any treatment plan. Just when I thought I had
the disease under control, she would have another outbreak,
and I would have to scramble for a new regimen. I went
through medicated shampoos and all sorts of conditioners
like water. In the beginning, I tried the oil baths. Because
of my own sensitivity to petroleum products, I did not use
mineral oil or its derivatives. I tried several different oils like
olive and grapeseed, diluted to ease the problem of getting
the oil out of the coat. After a few months of torturing my
dog and myself, I gave up on oil baths. The initial treatments
had helped her skin condition by loosening the scales and le-
sions, but her coat remained sparse. What little hair she had
was mostly straight, wavy at best, and very dry. Her once
solid black coat was now shot through with coarse white
hairs, giving her a salt-and-pepper look.
Like that couple I met, I would have to field people’s ques-
tions about her breed. It didn’t make matters easier that she
was compared to my other Standard, who is a fabulous white
boy from Whisperwind-My Deer lines, with coat to burn.
One person asked if she were a labradoodle; luckily for all
concerned, this happened when my husband took her to the
park, and I wasn’t within earshot.
The Poodle Papers
By then, I met and brainstormed with others with SA Poodles
through the online lists of SA-Addisons Yahoo Group and
Poodle Support Group. I tried the few treatment plans that
were suggested. I boosted her immune system with various
supplements, including the Chinese herb formula of Wind
Toxin. She was tested for allergies; already on a raw diet,
grains were eliminated from her diet, including treats. In-
stead of yearly vaccinations, both dogs were titered. Acu-
puncture, chiropractic, and kinesiology helped Nikita, but
changes in her condition seemed inevitable. There were
many times when I would not want to bathe her, because I
never knew when handfuls of her hair would fall out.
She was going through a particularly nasty outbreak when
I met Sheree out of sheer desperation. I just wanted her to
have a full coat of hair, but seeing Fah So, maybe, just may-
be, she could become my beautiful Curlie Girlie again. Af-
ter a month of using Sheree’s treatment, I thought I noticed
Nikita’s coat becoming blacker. Was I seeing what I wanted
to see? Then, without prompting, a friend commented on
how black her coat had become. Soon, hair was growing in,
even on her tail, and it was curly! It was nothing short of a
miracle. Her vets and groomers have been amazed by these
results.
The treatment is not a cure and must be followed vigilantly.
Nikita still has outbreaks occasionally with some coat thin-
ning, especially this past fall when she was bothered by al-
lergies. However, she has not had that typical SA moth-eaten
coat since she started this treatment.
Nikita is not the only success story. Berkely, another Stan-
dard with SA, now has so much thick hair that he has to be
groomed regularly, just like a normal Poodle. This treatment
has also helped an Addisonian Standard with thin coat and
skin irritation issues. Right before the deadline for this ar-
ticle, Sheree received a wonderful email from someone she
met at PCA last year. The treatment is clearing up her dog’s
bald spots on his back and head.
Sheree insists that she is “in no way an expert on SA” and
recommends everyone to test according to PCA guidelines.
In an email, she relates what this SA experience has taught
her as well as the questions it has raised:
“Telling people that you have SA, or any disorder, in your
bloodline can be a double-edged sword. In some ways, I
have paid a price for telling about Fah So. On the other side
of that sword, telling and asking questions is the best thing I
ever did, and I do not regret it. When Fah So tested affected,
I was not sure what to do. I felt that talking about it and being
open was what I should do But the heartbreak I was feeling
was very overwhelming. I had little understanding of SA and
cont. on page 53
 Page 53
cot. from page 52
a lot of questions. I was lucky that I had made friends and
mentors at PCA the year Fah So broke out with SA. I needed
guidance and the answers to many questions. Like, do you
breed Poodles that have full or half-siblings that are affect-
ed? Do you breed a sire or dam who have produced affected
offspring? We need to tell other breeders and puppy buyers
of the problems in our Poodles. That way, they can make an
informed decision on the risk they are willing to take in buy-
ing or breeding into your line. Breeders coming together and
having an open discussion is the only way to get a handle on
genetic problems. Many full and half-siblings never have SA
or pass it to their offspring, or do they? There are big holes
in the information on SA. I feel that we have these gaps be-
cause SA is a mystery in many ways. It is hard to track and
hard to test. When you have a disorder like SA, I do not think
it comes down to simple genetics. It seems that SA has a
trigger. Most breeds are affected differently, and each poodle
seems to display symptoms in different ways. We need to
have a better test and better information. I think as breeders
we have pushed SA aside just a little for problems that have
graver consequences. People need to know that SA is still
there. This year, I have talked to 3 people that have put their
Poodles to sleep because they could no longer deal with SA.
I am sure Fah So could have had this same fate if I had not Before picture: The quality of this photo of Nikita as she was
come up with the oil treatment.” in the bathtub awaiting the first treatment is poor, but one
can see the following in her coat: sparseness; flakiness; SA
As for Fah So, he has indeed had quite a life, despite SA. lesions and scales; the straight or somewhat wavy, dry hair;
“When Fah So received his Junior Hunting Title, he had and the off-color.
little hair. He had bald spots and was bleeding from run-
ning through the tall grass. I ran one test each weekend and
not the usual two tests back-to-back because his skin and
coat had become so fragile,” Sheree recalls. Fah So has since
earned a WC and a WCX at the bronze medallion level.

I must note here that I have no incentive to promote Sheree’s

treatment other than to alert the Poodle community to a suc-
cessful option. Her treatment kit of goat’s milk soap and es-
sential oil blend sells for $100, and will last several months.

For more information, please contact Sheree by email (hunt-

ingpoodle@hotmail.com) or phone ((832-212-1306).

This is how 11-year-old Nikita looked last June at a tracking

class.

BERNICE JOHNSON REAGON:

Life’s challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they’re supposed

to help you discover who you are.

The Poodle Papers

 Page 54

The AKC Master National
Oct. 25-Nov.1 Manheim,
Texas
Written by Mia DiBenedetto
History was made at the 2009 American Kennel Club Master
National Retriever trial.
Bibelot’s Tolka Hands Up, MH became the first Standard
Poodle ever to Qualify at the AKC Master National.
Known by the call name Ten, this 3-year-old bitch is owned
by Mia DiBenedetto and Jack D. Combs of Wickford, Rhode
Island. Ten was bred by Susan Fraser and Deb Drake of On-
tario. Ten is trained and handled by Jack D. Combs.
The Master National experience was thrilling for Jack and
me. It was our first time attending this national event and we
could not have received a warmer welcome and it was the
most exciting canine event we have ever attended. The gal-
lery could not have been more supportive of the poodle.
While there may have been some snickering when Ten first
came to the line, after the first two Series, spectators actually
came from the other Stake just to see “the white poodle”
run. Everyone was routing for her, and Ten loved the atten-
tion and seemed to thrive on the applause.
There were 387 entries in the 2009 event, including Lab-
radors, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Flat
Coat Retrievers, Irish Water Spaniels and 1 Standard Poo-
dle.
This year’s event was held in Giddings Texas, October 23,
through November 1, 2009 and consisted of Four Test Series

over seven days. Dogs advanced through the series only if

The Master National is a hunt test conducted under the rules
they received a qualifying score on each test.
and regulations of the American Kennel Club Hunt Test pro-
gram. The Master National is open to any Retriever breed,
But the Master National is so much more than retrieves,
Irish Water Spaniel, or Standard Poodle which, between
birds and blinds.
August 1, 2008 and July 31, 2009 accumulates a total of 5
qualifications in its first 7 attempts in the Master category
The MN began with a spectacular Opening Ceremony. The
from a MN member club.
cont. on page 55
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 Page 55
cont. from page 54
National Anthem was sung by a member of a local Retriever
Club while an equestrian precision drill team presented “The
Colors” (flags for the United States of America, the State of
Texas, the Master National Retriever Club, the Christian flag
and the 4-H flag). The youth team made a grand entry and
delighted the crowd of over 100 including AKC representa-
tives, sponsors, local dignitaries, handlers and guests. The
emotions ran high and I saw quite a few participants dry a
tear as a single rider paraded the American Flag around the
arena.
The Handler’s Welcome Dinner was next where the official
running order was selected. This was no ordinary random
number draw. All handlers were asked to stand up. Then
much to the delight of the crowd a retriever was sent to a pile
of bumpers. Each bumper represented a range of numbers
(for example 140-149). As a range of numbers were selected
handlers sat down and only the final range was left standing.
At that time the dog was sent for a single number and that
became the Starting dog! The entire evening was full of fun,
and helped the anxious handlers to relax before their first day
of the competition.
Not to be outdone, during the week there were two other
parties open to all those at the MN. At the parties many
handlers, who don’t see each other during the hunt test sea-
son, reconnect with their friends at this event. Many new
The Poodle Papers
friendships are also made here. Dogs are competing against
a standard and not each other, and for this reason, I think the
camaraderie among the group is exceptional!
The Four Series
The entries are divided into two Stakes (A and B), with both
groups running the same series of tests but in different order.
There are two sets of judges but the same two judges fol-
low your dog through the entire four Series. Dogs advanced
through the series only if they received a qualifying score on
each test.
Extreme weather conditions made this year’s event difficult
for many dogs. Heavy rains and winds made scenting and
visibility difficult.
The judges named each Series and as you can see
from the descriptions from the Master National web
site, this was one challenging event!
Series 1, named the “Snake Pit, was a triple with the
flyer deep and thrown first then a dead bird station
in the center and finally another dead bird station
thrown left to right with goose decoys located deep
of the fall area. The flyer and middle station were
each thrown in the same direction of right to left.
The stations were well separated. The center sta-
tion has a small round pond in the test. The station
was located behind the pond and thrown toward the
outer edge. The pond was on line however a cheat
around the left edge would not be “bad” however a
cheat would put your dog out of position to easily
come up with the bird.
Series 2, known as the “Blondes,” consisted of a
triple with a flyer, two dead bird stations, a blind
that appears to be under the arc of the go bird and
finally an honor. The blind which cut the corner of
the pond had a line between the flyer and dead bird
station located at the end of the pond.
The line was up a ravine about 20-yards from the waters
edge, the first bird down was a long memory bird across the
pond and thrown left to right to the back side of the dyke.
The flyer was a bit shorter and shot right to left and finally
the short bird a wipe-out bird was thrown close to the line
of the flyer and over the line of the first bird down. A blind
was run between the flyer station and long memory bird and
under the arc of the wipe-out bird. After the line work was
completed there was an honor behind and to the left of the
working dog.
cont. on page 56
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Series 3 was called “Severed Limbs,” and was supposed to
Westminster info!
be a land triple, using all pheasants with a flyer. The first
Top 5 in each variety that get invitations!
bird down was a right to left, angle back thrown from heavy
concealment into a pocket in shrubs at about 115 yards. The TOY POODLES
next bird was a flyer right to left angle back into a deep slot CH Cache’s Lady Olivia De Plata
at about 130 yards Dogs that were too far left tended to be CH Cache’s Lord Grayson
pulled into the first bird station. The third bird was a pheas- CH Forever Master Of The Game
ant thrown right to left angle back at about 82 yards. CH Smash Jp Moon Walk
CH Tropical’s House Of The Rising Sun
But the rain came from the South mid- morning in sheets
MINIATURE POODLES
with heavy gusting winds and quickly changed that scenario.
CH Alegria Shamus
The tests went on with another deluge in the afternoon. The
CH Amity Mystical Horizon’s Heaven Sent
wind changed to the North and the temperature dropped 20 CH Campostela The Perfect Storm
degrees in what seemed like a minute and the rain came in CH Divine No Doubt Deagra
sheets. CH Splash Di Caprio

The tests only stopped long enough for the gunners to see STANDARD POODLES
where to shoot. The live gunners at days end were standing CH Bar-None Dawin Travelin’ Man
in a foot of mud yet there were surprisingly few no birds. CH Dawin Spitfire
This test was quickly renamed a “River Runs Through It”. CH Donnchada Sweet Dreams
CH Hillwood Dassin De-Lovely
With the huge amount of rain encountered the dogs crossed
CH Randenn Tristar Affirmation
running water on all 3 of the birds for this land test.

Series 4 was called “Go-Cat-Go.” A walk-up water triple

REGIONAL TRIVIA
with a flyer, a double blind and finally an honor. The work-
ing line was about 10-yards from the water’s edge and the POODLE COUNTS 2009
first bird down was thrown left to right and landed in front of 26 POOD TOY 12-8- 4-2
a small group of trees. Directly across the pond, the second 23 POOD MIN 6-10- 2-5
bird was thrown right to left and landed at the water’s edge. 47 POOD STD 11-19- 13-3
Finally the go bird, a duck flyer, was off to the right, 90 de- 1 VET DOG
grees from the middle bird. After picking up the marks, dogs
were asked to run a land blind located to the front and left of COMPARED TO PHILADELPHIA CENTEN-
the second mark and then challenging water blind was run NIAL SPECIALITES
between the two dead bird stations.

It was a demanding series of tests. And there definitely is a

POODLE COUNTS 1984
bit of “luck” involved as we saw many good dogs go out due 67 TOYS 23-28-8-5
to unusual circumstances. While the judges try to make the (JUDGE LYDIA HUTCHINSON)
tests all the same for all 400 dogs, time of day, weather and 2 VET DOGS
wind has its effects. 1 STUD DOG
1 BROOD BITCH
The MN is an exhausting and anxiety-ridden week but it was
an opportunity of a lifetime for Jack and me. The camara- 91 MINIS 224-47-13-7
derie among owners/handlers was incredible. To compete (JUDGE EDD BIVIN)
with so many magnificent working dogs was truly a dream 1 VET. DOG
come true!
1 STUD DOG
We encourage other poodle owners to try and qualify their
dogs so they too can become a part of the Master National 95 STANDARDS 27-45-12-8
experience. Our thanks to everyone for their support and (JUDGE MAXINE BEAM)
congratulations. 2 STUD DOG
3 BROOD BITCH
We think Ten did the Poodle World proud!
The Poodle Papers